7.5 Impact Assessment and Periodic Policy Review
The knowledge goods sector, which is the most dynamic in terms of potential growth, is also partially resistant
to any consensus-based economic analytical framework. In this context, Fink and Maskus 10 conclude that
“although the existing economic literature on IPRs provides some useful guidance to policymakers in
developing countries, there is still a lot we do not know.”
Because the impacts of the different categories of IPRs are dynamic, and will change over time the
implementation strategy for the Rwanda IP Policy has to include impact assessment mechanisms as well as be
subject to periodic review. The impact assessment and review should evaluate and assess the implementation of
the policy as well as the Rwanda IP Law. The results of the impact assessment and review should provide the
basis for policy refinements and adjustments to the implementation strategy as well as needed revisions to the
IP Law and related laws such as on traditional knowledge.
Impact assessment and review should be carried out under the direction of the Rwanda Development and
Intellectual Property Forum with the first impact assessment and review to be carried out two (2) years from the
time of the launch of the Policy (2011). Thereafter the assessment and review should be carried out every four
years with the third impact assessment and review timed to coincide with the end of Vision 2020.
8. Financial implications
The financial implications of the Law and Policy will depend on the level of uptake of IP related activity.
Technical assistance support will be required as set out in the Preferred Option section – this should ideally be
located from international organisations. Dissemination of the Policy should be a priority of MINICOM,
MINISPOC and RDB, and this activity should be secured from its own resources. In as much as cases go to the
commercial courts, the justice system in Rwanda should require little in extra resource to undergo such cases.
Support will be required for the justice system as well as police and customs for IP enforcement – again, where
possible, this technical support should be secured from international organisations.
9. Legal implications
The IP Law has been developed alongside this Policy. It sets out detailed requirements for the provision,
enforcement and administration of IPRs. Key measures related to patents, utility models, industrial designs,
marks, geographical indications and integrated circuits.
Copyright
The provisions of the IP Law concerning the protection of literary, artistic and scientific works apply to a range
of types of work produced by Rwandans or in Rwanda. This could include
10
Conferences, speeches, lectures, addresses, sermons and other oral works;
works expressed by writing (books, pamphlets and other writings) including computer programs;
musical works with or without accompanying words;
dramatic, dramatico-musical works;
choreographic works and pantomimes;
audiovisual works;
works of drawing, painting, sculpture, engraving, lithography, tapestry and other works of fine art;
works of architecture;
Why we study intellectual property rights and what we have learned. Carsten Fink and Keith E. Maskus. 2005.
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