The Anti-Counterfeit Authority commemorated the World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 2021 by bringing together IP enthusiasts in two webinars on the role played by intellectual property (IP) rights in encouraging innovation and creativity.

This year’s commemorations are happening during the current unprecedented times of COVID 19 Pandemic that limited physical commemorations as has been happening in the years before. The free to enter webinars one in partnership with JGIP Consultants, a Kenyan IP law firm and the other in conjunction with Kenya Industrial Property Institute drew over hundred online participants.

The participants drawn from IP Lawyers and Agents, creative minds, Kenya manufacturer and commerce representatives, government agency representatives, students, artists and artisans, designers, researchers, scientists and many others had an opportunity to learn about emerging issues in the IP system – trademarks, design rights, copyright, patents, trade secrets, geographical indications, and discussed the role of protecting IP for economic development

This year's theme is Intellectual Property (IP) and SMEs: Taking Ideas to the Market rhymes with the business incubation cycle since every business starts with an idea. Each of the millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that operate across the world every day started with an idea that took shape in someone’s mind and made its way to market.

When nurtured and enriched with ingenuity, know-how and flair an idea becomes an IP asset that can drive business development, economic recovery and human progress.

Speaking at the event ACA Deputy Director for Research, Awareness, Policy and Quality Assurance Dr. John Akoten acknowledged that SMEs are the backbone of many economies in the world saying, "they hatch breakthrough innovations and inspiring creations, and they create jobs; some become the world-leading businesses of tomorrow". He added that SMEs deliver the goods and services that are needed every day of our lives.