Information Technology Landscape in Kenya

LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

Intellectual Property

Countries with innovative local industries almost invariably have laws to promote innovation by regulating the copying of inventions, identifying symbols, and creative expressions. These laws include four separate and distinct types of intangible property, that is, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, which collectively are referred to as “intellectual property.” After the emergence from post-colonialism, Kenya was still did not attach much priority to the need to protect intellectual rights. At the time the domestic manufacturers were not in existence.It is only recently that the Kenya government has regarded the enforcement of intellectual property rights as their responsibility and those who violate these rights as engaging in acts unfavorable to the interest of the state.
   
Some of the benefits that have directly resulted from increased enforcement of the intellectual property laws are:

· Creativity and innovativeness have been stimulated in society, thus contributing to Kenya’s development.

· Stipulation and protection of the infrastructure which is essential for the growth of production, manufacture, and distribution within the cultural, educational, and entertainment industries.

· Development of an environment conducive to attracting domestic and foreign private sector investment in the copyright industries.

· The key purpose of intellectual property is protection.
    

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