By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja – An inventor, Mr Sam Bassy, on Tuesday decried the delay in getting patents, saying the process of protecting one’s invention should be made faster and simpler.
A Patent is a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention issued by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
The inventor of the multi-card told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the slow process of getting an invention commercialized constituted a challenge to inventors.
NAN reports that the multi-card is a two-in-one recharge functionality for scratch cards, used initially to reload airtime for telecommunication, retail business, insurance, lottery and gaming.
“The delay in getting patent is the challenge we have in the system; the process is very slow.
“I must say we need to step up with the revolution that is going on in technology; we need to step up and make the process of obtaining patents faster and simpler for one to protect inventions.
“Another challenge is the problem of effecting good policy in the area of patent infringement.
“ I have also noticed some other inventors’ intellectual rights being infringed upon by individuals and companies, such that royalty that is meant for them is denied them.’’
He urged the judiciary to be up and doing so that inventors could make money from their work.
“Our law enforcement agencies, regulators, also the judiciary has to be on top of their game.
“Our institutions generally have to be strong in order for us to be able to generate the revenue that is due to the inventors, to encourage them engage in more researches.
“These are citizens of the country, and the country needs to protect them from other people, company or individuals who are taking advantage of their inventions.’’
Bassy urged governments at all levels to make the environment conducive for innovation by putting scientific infrastructure on ground for inquisitive and intuitive minds to grow.
He said that innovation was a critical aspect of nation building and human socio-economic development.
According to the inventor, innovation is a propeller of development as it engages the innate desire of an individual to actualise inspiration derived from his environment.
“When I say innovation is critical to nation building, it is a fact. I find that all these countries today known as developed countries, got to where they are today because of creativity.
“This has helped in the growth of their countries since others come to buy their knowledge, they create jobs for their citizens.
“You see that because the innovations create companies that would need hands and brains to manufacture those goods and services.
“So, the power of innovation in the socio-economic development of a nation cannot be overemphasised,’’ Bassy said.