By 
By Ross Moyo
If African governments want US tech investment and music exports, they must first update their IP laws.
That was the message from Katherine Hiner during a special briefing on the IP for Growth initiative.
Isabel Martha Nakirya, Uganda: “How important is strong intellectual property protection in attracting investment into Africa’s creative economy?”
Hiner: “Fundamental. You need those strong IP laws. You have to have that framework in place as a starting point.”
She said investors need “strong, consistent laws that cross borders” because music is now distributed digitally.
Concrete US Recommendations:
1. Ratify and implement the WIPO Internet Treaties to enable streaming royalties
2. Build well-functioning CMOs for large-scale licensing
3. Invest in administration and enforcement – recruiting, training staff, and public education
Michael Kintu Baleke, Uganda asked what lessons Africa can take from the US. Hiner said the US made “sustained investments” in transparency, education and enforcement and is “seeing the return on that investment now.”
On AI, Hiner said copyright protection plays a central role in AI development. “Established legal doctrines such as fair use and fair dealing will play a critical role in balancing the interests of creators and innovators.”
The Context: The initiative comes as IFPI reports SSA is the world’s fastest growing music market. But Hiner said growth will stall without reform. “Music isn’t just a mood or a vibe. It is a business.”
The US will take lessons from the Africa workshops to WIPO in Geneva in December.
For media queries: [email protected] | @AfricaMediaHub
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