Liberia Intellectual Property Office

26/03/2026

LIPO Holds Intellectual Property Rights Training for Visual Artists

--- As Government of Liberia intensifies efforts to deepen stakeholders' understanding of IP concepts.

The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in partnership with Hallie Art Gallery, has trained a cohort of visual artists on intellectual property rights and advanced artistic techniques to address limited awareness and uptake of IP protections among stakeholders in the creative industries.

The training, held under the theme ‘Your Art, Your Rights,’ brought together several veteran and emerging visual artists for sessions covering IP rights acquisition, abstract and representational artwork techniques, and the legal frameworks governing creative work in Liberia.

According to a LIPO press release, the initiative directly responds to the limited uptake of IP protections among visual artists, despite a measurable rise in their output across the sector.

"Visual artists are producing remarkable work, but too many of them are doing so without the legal safeguards that protect their creations and their livelihoods," said Hon. Garmai Koboi, Director General of LIPO. "This training is about ensuring that every visual artist in Liberia understands that their creativity is an asset, one that the law can and must protect. Knowing your rights is the first step toward benefiting from your talent."

The March 20 event forms part of LIPO's ongoing national capacity-building program, which seeks to deepen stakeholders' understanding of Liberia's IP administration system, including the legal and institutional processes governing protection, enforcement mechanisms, and commercialization pathways for creative works.

The training also carries broader policy significance. It aligns with Pillar I, Intervention 7 of the ARREST Agenda, with a focus on developing a robust IP ecosystem as a foundation for sustainable economic growth.

In remarks, the founder of the Hallie Art Gallery, Hallie Ndorley, noted that the working relationship with the Government through LIPO reflects a shared commitment to the growth and development of Liberia's visual art sector.

Ndorley added that many visual artists are self-taught and deeply talented, but without structured development in technique and IP knowledge, they remain vulnerable to exploitation; as such, the training was a "worthy undertaking."

"You cannot separate the craft from the rights," Ndorley said. "When an artist learns a new technique, they must simultaneously learn how to own what they create. That is the full picture of artistic development."

The Hallie Gallery, the co-organizer of the training, is a creative platform working at the intersection of arts education, skills development, and social inclusion in Liberia.

The Gallery founder is an award-winning Liberian-Canadian visual artist who is known for his “mystic flowing colors” and is a pioneering figure in Ontario's contemporary art scene.

He has, among other works, created a mural titled 'Curiosity' for the City of Pickering and its Cultural Advisory Committee as part of the city's programme celebrating Black culture and artists.

In October 2023, he was honoured by the Regional Municipality of Durham, a region comprising seven municipalities in southern Ontario, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts and culture.

For media inquiries, contact LIPO Communication Officer Robin Dopoe at +231881132166 or [email protected]

18/03/2026

MARETHA INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL WINS NATIONAL FINAL OF ARIPO-WIPO IP CLUB COMPETITION

--- As defending champion William V.S. Tubman finishes first runner-up

Maretha International Preparatory High School has won the 2025/2026 National Final of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intellectual Property (IP) Club Competition, walking away with a US$1,000 cash prize.

The final, held Tuesday, March 17, by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), brought together five secondary schools to demonstrate their knowledge of intellectual property concepts -- with particular focus on copyright and related rights -- and to explore the role IP plays in driving sustainable development.
William V.S. Tubman High School, which entered the competition as defending champion, finished as first runner-up, while St. Teresa Convent claimed second runner-up honors in a closely contested competition that showcased a growing depth of IP literacy among Liberian students. Both runners-up walked away with US$700 and US$500 respectively.

As the national winner, Maretha will represent Liberia at the ARIPO-WIPO IP Club Regional Championship in Harare, where the school will compete against schools from Ghana, Tanzania, and other participating African nations.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, head judge Jeremiah Joshua Kekula commended all the participating schools for their performances, noting that the competition was competitive, with each school mounting a strong defense for the title.

"What we witnessed today was young people demonstrating a genuine understanding of how intellectual property connects to creativity, innovation, and the future of their communities," Mr. Kekula said. "Each school stood out for their clarity of thought, the depth of their engagement with the subject matter, and the confidence with which they presented their arguments. They are well deserving of this honor, and we believe they will make Liberia proud in Harare. But as with every competition, there has to be one winner, and that winner is Maretha International Preparatory High School."

In remarks also, the Director General of LIPO, Hon. Garmai Koboi, described the national final as a milestone in Liberia's broader effort to build an IP-conscious generation -- designed to ensure that the next generation of Liberian entrepreneurs, artists, writers, and inventors enters the marketplace equipped with the knowledge of intellectual property and the benefits thereof.
According to Hon. Koboi, LIPO views the IP Club Competition as a cornerstone of its youth engagement strategy -- one designed to build toward an economy driven by innovation and creative enterprise -- as the future depends on young people who not only create but who understand their IP rights as creators.

"Today's competition is about more than trophies," Hon. Koboi said. "It is about planting seeds — seeds of awareness, of creativity, and of ownership. When young people understand intellectual property, they begin to see themselves differently. They begin to see their ideas, their artistry, and their innovations as things of value that deserve protection. Programs like this competition are how we make that future possible."

The IP Club Competition, coordinated regionally by ARIPO in partnership with WIPO, is designed to foster IP awareness among secondary school students across Africa, equipping them with foundational knowledge that supports both individual creative development and broader national development goals.

For media inquiries, contact LIPO Communication Officer Robin Dopoe at +231881132166 or [email protected]

14/03/2026

🎉 Big News from LIPO!

The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in collaboration with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), is proud to announce the National Final of the Regional IP Club Competition!

🏆 Student innovators and creative minds from William V.S. Tubman High School, Maretha Preparatory High School, Spiritan Academy, St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School, and Muslim Congress High School will go head-to-head in this exciting national showdown — showcasing their knowledge of Intellectual Property and its powerful role in driving development.

This year's competition is themed:
"Intellectual Property and the Creative Industries: A Perfect Tool for Development"

06/03/2026

Women of LIPO celebrating International Women's Day.

06/03/2026

Happy International Women's Day from LIPO! 🟣

Today, our staff joined other women from across the country for the celebration of International Women's Day at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, under our theme: "Protecting and Promoting Women's Creativities and Innovations Through Intellectual Property Rights to Drive National Development."

At LIPO, we say women are not just creators — they are innovators, inventors, and engines of national growth. As such, we remain committed to ensuring that every woman's idea, craft, and creative work is protected, valued, and celebrated.

To every woman in Liberia and beyond, your creativity matters. Your innovation matters. You matter.

Happy International Women's Day! 💜

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05/03/2026

Today, at the Ministry of Information press briefing, our Director General Hon. Garmai Koboi addressed the media on two landmark developments: President Boakai's submission of eight intellectual property treaties and protocols to the 55th Legislature for ratification; and the recently concluded training workshop for stakeholders in the creative industry and business communities.

👇👇👇👇Below is her full statement. 👇👇👇👇

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Over the last two days and indeed over the past few weeks, something significant has been happening at the Liberia Intellectual Property Office.

As you may be aware, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai JUST FEW DAYS ago submitted to the 55th Legislature eight international intellectual property treaties and protocols for ratification. That submission was read during the 15th Day Sitting of the First Quarter of the Third Session of the Legislature, and the House of Representatives has since forwarded the instruments to its relevant committees for review and recommendation.

Also, about two weeks ago, we concluded a three-day intensive training workshop, equipping over 180 stakeholders with practical knowledge of intellectual property rights, registration, and commercialization.

The workshop, held from February 18 to 20 under the theme "Understanding Intellectual Property Rights: Registration, Enforcement, and Commercialization," was organized by LIPO in partnership with the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, the Fulah Business Association, the Manufacturers Union of Liberia, and other creative industry partners.

Ladies and gentlemen,

**ON THE EIGHT IP TREATIES & PROTOCOLS**

1. The President's decision is in fulfilment of two promises — one when he met with the ARIPO Director General and his delegation last October, he made a personal, on-record commitment that his administration would ratify all outstanding IP treaties and protocols without any delay.

The second is his promise to the Liberian people in the ARREST Agenda, under Pillar One, specifically Program 7 (Business Enabling Environment), which has made the development of a robust national IP ecosystem a priority.

Thus, the action taken by the President presents one of the most consequential steps ever taken in the history of IP governance in Liberia. The domestication of these treaties and protocols will fundamentally reshape Liberia's IP ecosystem, giving creators enforceable rights over their works in digital and cross-border markets, while enabling farmers and plant breeders to legally protect new crop varieties and attract agricultural investment. This is a defining moment for IP administration in Liberia. This is not a policy discussion. It is a kept promise.

The ratification of these treaties and protocols will ensure numerous economic benefits for stakeholders in the creative industries and business community.

Under the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Liberian creators will gain enforceable rights over their content on digital platforms — streaming services, downloads, and cross-border distribution — where most of their work circulates today but where they currently have limited legal standing under international law.

As for the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions — Liberia's oral traditions, performing arts, and customary practices will be legally protected from exploitation, ensuring that what belongs to Liberian communities remains theirs to control and benefit from.

Also, farmers and plant breeders, under the Arusha Protocol and UPOV membership, will benefit from an established plant breeders' rights framework, enabling Liberian farmers to legally protect new crop varieties, attract agricultural investment, and participate in a regional seed economy.

On the other hand, the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge will ensure that when Liberia's genetic resources and indigenous knowledge are accessed by foreign researchers or companies, Liberian communities — not outsiders — hold the rights and receive the benefits. In this case, we will be asserting sovereignty over our own biodiversity.

---

Ladies and gentlemen,

**ON THE STAKEHOLDER TRAINING**

1. The February 18–20 training workshop was not a one-off. It is part of an ongoing national capacity-building program lined up by the Government of Liberia to strengthen stakeholders' knowledge of Liberia's IP administration system, the legal and institutional processes that govern the protection of IP, as well as enforcement mechanisms and commercialization pathways.

The training has immediately increased awareness of IP rights among more than 180 Liberians; improved understanding of registration procedures; strengthened knowledge of enforcement mechanisms; and clarified commercialization options for intellectual assets.

As reflected in the ARREST Agenda, Pillar I, Intervention 7 under the business enabling environment, the training workshop demonstrates the government's commitment to strengthening stakeholder knowledge of IP rights; providing practical guidance on registration procedures under Liberia's IP framework; clarifying enforcement mechanisms and available legal remedies; and promoting commercialization pathways of IP assets.

2. In the short term, the training workshop has increased IP rights awareness among more than 180 Liberians, improved their understanding of registration procedures, strengthened knowledge of enforcement mechanisms, and clarified commercialization options for intellectual assets.

The training addresses the limited acquisition of IP rights among stakeholders, despite growing creative output and entrepreneurial activity in recent years, which has resulted in the generation of thousands of IP assets.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The action by President Boakai and the training are a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to ensuring the development of the IP ecosystem to drive socioeconomic development.

03/03/2026

The President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai has submitted for legislative considerations, Regional and International Intellectual Property Treaties and Protocols, including UNESCO instruments to the Honorable House of Legislature..

‎House Receives President Boakai’s Communication Seeking Legislative Enactment of Intellectual Property Treaties

By: Wilmot Konah
‎
‎Capitol Hill, Monrovia: The Honorable House of Representatives has received a formal communication from President Joseph N. Boakai submitting several international conventions and protocols for legislative enactment, including the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
‎
‎The treaty, adopted under the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization, provides enhanced protection for performers and producers of phonograms, particularly in the digital environment. It addresses rights relating to reproduction, distribution, and online transmission of sound recordings.
‎
‎The President’s communication, read during the 15th Day Sitting of the 1st Quarter of the 3rd Session of the 55th Legislature, forms part of a broader package of intellectual property and cultural instruments aimed at strengthening Liberia’s legal framework in the creative and innovation sectors.
‎
‎Also submitted for legislative enactment were the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights and the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, and the WIPO Copyright Treaty.
‎
‎If enacted by the Legislature, the instruments would pave the way for Liberia to align its domestic intellectual property and cultural protection laws with international standards. The communication has been forwarded to the relevant committees for review and recommendation before further action by Plenary.

02/03/2026

Fifty years of protecting ideas, empowering creators, and strengthening innovation across Africa. Today, we join the live celebration of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) as it marks its 50th Anniversary, a golden milestone for intellectual property on our continent.

From advancing regional cooperation to building stronger IP systems for member states, ARIPO’s journey has been one of vision, resilience, and impact.

Tune in live and be part of this historic moment as we celebrate progress, partnerships, and the future of innovation in Africa.

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) will mark its 50th Anniversary in Lusaka, Zambia, on December 9, 2026, under the theme “Foste...

27/02/2026

Liberia Trains 180 Stakeholders on Intellectual Property Rights

--- As workshop addresses gaps in IP knowledge among creative and business stakeholders.’

The Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), has trained over 180 stakeholders from the creative industries and the business community in intellectual property (IP) rights management, identification, and other procedures.
According to LIPO, the training addresses the limited acquisition of IP rights among stakeholders, despite growing creative output and entrepreneurial activity in recent years, resulting in the generation of thousands of IP assets.

“This situation has limited the ability of creators and business owners to secure legal ownership, prevent infringement, and generate sustainable revenue from their intellectual assets,” Hon. Garmai Koboi said. “To address this gap, the Government of Liberia, through LIPO, organized the three-day workshop as part of a broader series of capacity-building initiatives lined up to enhance stakeholders’ knowledge of intellectual property rights across Liberia.”

The training (workshop), held from February 18–20, is part of an ongoing national capacity-building program organized by the government to strengthen stakeholders’ knowledge of Liberia’s IP administration system, the legal and institutional processes that govern the protection of IP, as well as enforcement mechanisms and commercialization pathways.

According to LIPO, the training has immediately increased awareness of IP rights among more than 180 Liberians; improved understanding of registration procedures; strengthened knowledge of enforcement mechanisms; and clarified commercialization options for intellectual assets.

As reflected in the ARREST Agenda, Pillar I, Intervention 7 under the business enabling environment, the workshop demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder knowledge of IP rights; providing practical guidance on registration procedures under Liberia’s IP framework; clarifying enforcement mechanisms and available legal remedies; and promoting commercialization pathways of IP assets.

In the long term, this workshop and subsequent initiatives lined up are expected to contribute to increased formal registration of IP rights, improved compliance with national IP laws, and greater commercialization of IP assets among stakeholders in the creative industries and business community.

The workshop, themed ‘Understanding Intellectual Property Rights: Registration, Enforcement, and Commercialization,’ was organized by LIPO with the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, the Fulah Business Association, the Manufacturers Union of Liberia, and other creative industry partners.”

🎥 Video Highlights: Three-Day Training Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights.
Courtesy of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO)

26/02/2026

With Garmai Koboi, Director General, Liberia Intellectual Property Office – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉

20/02/2026

Liberia Congratulates Daren Tang on Second Term as WIPO Director General

The Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, warmly congratulates Mr. Daren Tang on his reappointment as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Mr. Tang's reappointment reflects the strong confidence of Member States in his vision, leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing a balanced and inclusive global intellectual property system.

Under his guidance, WIPO has continued to strengthen innovation ecosystems, support creators and entrepreneurs, and promote sustainable development across all regions.

The Liberia Intellectual Property Office looks forward to his continued efforts in empowering MSMEs, innovators, and institutions worldwide, while fostering cooperation and capacity-building among nations.

We wish him continued success as he leads WIPO into a new era of growth, impact, and excellence.


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