Intellectual property (IP) refers to the ownership of an idea or design by the person who came up with it. It is a term used in property law. It gives a person certain exclusive rights to a distinct type of creative design, meaning that nobody else can copy or reuse that creation without the owner’s permission.
Jegede made a presentation of her findings to government officials at State House last month. She highlighted what stronger IP laws would do for creative thinkers and innovators if implemented in Sierra Leone.
At the end of her presentation, DSTI Media caught up with Jegede to find out about her work and how she got her internship.
DSTI Media: How has the experience been?
Joy: It has been a really good experience, I have really enjoyed the policy research process of understanding what is on the ground, how does that compare with jurisdiction between West Africa within Africa and finding out the gaps and how to solve those gaps.
DSTI Media: how do you feel the opportunity to do policy research here at DSTI and in Sierra Leone?
Joy: Me having the opportunity to do what I am passionate about in Sierra Leone and doing it in a technological setting has been a great feeling.
DSTI Media: Did you come with any expectations when you were coming for your internship?
Joy: I actually came with an open mind, there were no expectations.
DSTI Media: Which project have you worked on?
Joy: I have worked on intellectual property law in policy research. This has to do with creations of the mind, inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names and images used in commerce, that is what I have been doing my research on.
DSTI Media: What impact will your research create?
Joy: My research can make an impact if it is followed through, because I could do all this research but if the recommendations are not implemented and the conversation does not continue then there won’t be any impact from my research.
If my research’s recommendations are implemented there will be an established IP system, in which innovators will have confidence to register their intellectual property, their innovation, and their books. It also means international companies, and multinational organizations can come in and set up their companies with the confidence that their IP would be protected and it will not be imitated or copied. Also if it is implemented there will be an increase in the country’s human capital development.
DSTI Media: If given the opportunity to come back here to DSTI will you come back?
Joy: It depends on the type of project that I would be working on if it is something that I am passionate about I will definitely return.
DSTI Media: What advice do you have for others that want to come to DSTI for the purpose of an internship?
Joy: One important lesson I have for others is having clarity into whatever you want to do.