South Africa is faced with the thorny problem that it harbours a
First World/Third World dichotomy within its borders. Pioneering
steps are therefore required to protect public health, attract
foreign direct investment, encourage domestic innovation and
education which in turn boosts national economic growth, and filter
the benefits to all levels of South African society.
Professor Anastassios Pouris of the Institute for Technological
Innovation, University of Pretoria, speaking at the
"Accelerating IP and Innovation" Conference held in
September in Cape Town, South Africa, aired the view that the
non-examining patents system in operation in South Africa is
detrimental to the innovation in the country and consequently to
economic growth. Pouris urged government to bring the system up to
international standards (examining system; openness etc) as a
matter of urgency. James Pooley, Deputy Director General for
Innovation and Technology of the World Intellectual
