Anti-Counterfeit Authority Feted for Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement by Dolby Laboratories Inc
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Award comes at a time when ACA has recently been elevated to a full Authority in December 2018, as per the Statutes Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2018
Nairobi, Tuesday 29th January 2019. The Anti-Counterfeit Authority was today recognized by Dolby Laboratories Inc. for the agency’s efforts in enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights.
The recognition comes at a time when the government, through the State Department of Trade has ramped up its efforts to combat illicit trade, through the Multi - Agency Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach (MAAITO). The multi-agency team coordinated from the Office of the President under the Deputy Head of Public Service, Mr. Wanyama Musiambo. This has seen building of synergizes and coordinated efforts of the different stakeholders with more than Ksh. 80 billion worth of illicit goods seized over a period of 4 months between June-September 2018.
While announcing the recent elevation of ACA to a full Authority, with an expanded mandate and powers, such as policy guidance to the Cabinet Secretary and Research, Mr. Elema Halake, the ACA Executive Director underscored the need for more collaboration between the private and public sectors in dealing with counterfeits.
“In addition to the award, this forum gives us an opportunity to enhance our private sector collaboration initiatives. We are delighted that more enforcement and inspection officers under ACA and related government outfits such as KEBS, KECOBO among others, will be trained on how to identify counterfeit goods”.
Speaking during the event, Vivian Vassallo, Global Director, IP Protection & Enforcement, Dolby Laboratories Inc. said that they were delighted to have a strategic partner to work with in reducing the counterfeits menace in the country.
“At Dolby, we are excited about the progress the Kenyan Government in setting up institutions and structures like the ACA, to tackle with issues of counterfeits and illicit trade, which often discourage foreign companies from investing due to the unfair trade practices.”
Protection of Intellectual Property and its effective management guarantees multinationals greater returns on capital invested in their business – and particularly increasing their shareholder value. It is equally important to a country like Kenya since with more multinationals coming to this country, we are assured of economic growth through increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
In line with supporting the attainment of the Government’s Big Four Development agenda, Mr. Halake said that dealing with counterfeits and illicit trade is a key driver, and agencies under MAAITO will be working more closer to ensure illicit trade does not impede progress towards the Big Four.
About Anti Counterfeit Agency
The Anti-Counterfeit Agency was established under the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008 as a State Corporation with the mandates to enlighten and inform the public on matters relating to counterfeiting, combat counterfeiting, trade and other dealings in counterfeit goods, devise and promote training programs to combat counterfeiting and co-ordinate with national, regional or international organizations involved in combating counterfeiting. It is a state corporation currently within the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Trade. Although the Act was passed by Kenya’s Parliament in 2008, it came into force on 1st July 2009 with the principal aim of prohibiting trade in counterfeit goods. The Agency came into operation in June 2010.
About Dolby International
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is based in San Francisco with offices in over 20 countries around the globe. Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences. Through innovative research and engineering, we create breakthrough experiences for billions of people worldwide through a collaborative ecosystem spanning artists, businesses, and consumers. The experiences people have – with Dolby Cinema, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice, Dolby Dimension, and Dolby Audio – revolutionize entertainment and communications at the cinema, on the go, in the home, and at work.
Dolby, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Cinema, Dolby Dimension, Dolby Vision, Dolby Voice, and the double-D symbol are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. in the Unites States and/or other countries. Other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
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