Intellectual Property in Sao Tome and Principe: Effectiveness of Intellectual Property Office in the Administration of Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property system has become a very important component in the socio-economic development of every nation. The Island of Sao Tome and Principe has been dealing with intellectual property issues for the past few decades. Activities of intellectual Property are coordinated and managed by the IP office. The office also serve as the contact point between stakeholders of the intellectual Property system The Intellectual Property office, which is expected to serve as the liaison between and among regional and international organizations such the World Intellectual Property Organization and African Regional Intellectual Property Organization. Despite the many expectations and responsibilities expected of the IP office to facilitate the promotion of IP, much less has been done in the area. It is in this light that the researcher sets to assess the capacity of human resource at the IP office and related institutional problems. The main objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of human resource at the Intellectual Office in the administration of intellectual property duties. A descriptive approach will be employed to conduct the study.