Health-related Innovation In Morocco Highlighted By Resident Inventor Patenting Activity

The continents of Europe, Asia, and the Americas are widely recognized as sources of innovation, but Africa is less known for its R&D efforts. Yet, despite certain economic challenges, Africa is beginning to take its place on the world stage for invention. Recent patenting activity can identify the seeds of such nascent creativity.

Patent protection in Africa can be obtained through national phase filings of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, direct filings in countries with patent offices, or a regional system. The Organisation Africaine de la Propriete Intellectuelle (OAPI) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) are the two African regional intellectual property systems. Most patent applications filed in African countries are national phase filings of priority applications for subject matter invented outside Africa. Even so, a burgeoning level of inventive activity occurs within Africa when viewed through the lens