COMMENTARY ON EXISTING IP LAWS IN THE SOLMONS

 PS. Ethel Sigimanu on IP laws existing in the Solomons

Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 1 February 2019

“PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Ethel Sigimanu says that our Intellectual property (IP) laws are still laws of England.

“She was speaking during the opening of the building a national copyright system for Solomon Islands consultation meeting in Honiara, early this week.

“Our government has done some groundwork on IP over the past seven years, PS Sigimanu said.

“She added that this work entailed consultations, workshops and discussion amongst all stakeholders on the need to address intellectual property rights.

“An overview assessment pertaining to whether Solomon Islands is also ready to institutionalize intellectual property rights and legislate for intellectual property locally.

“Currently our IP laws are still laws of England that is in force in our country.”

“PS Sigimanu said that other commitments by the government in its quest to address IP issues have included;

 “Appointment of an ambassador to the world trade Organisation

” Development of the national IP Strategy

 “Formation of an IP Coordination committee, and

“ Developing bill on traditional knowledge and cultural expression.

“She said she is pleased to report that the recommendations by the IP strategy were endorsed by cabinet in 2018.

“These recommendations provided a roadmap for the government to address IP rights here in the country.

“The recommendations include the need to accede to the world intellectual property organisation convention and the BERNE convention; the need to develop a national intellectual property (IP) framework for the government and the relevant national plan; the need to set up a standalone IP office and to ensure capacity development within the Registrar general office as well for stakeholders.

“The IP strategy also emphasized the need for legislative review in all IP laws to make them more update and broadly current for development changes at present.

“PS Sigimanu said that these recommendations will now provided the roadmap of what the government needs, to address IP rights here in the country.”

Copyright @ 2019, Solomon Star News.

SINU REPORTEDLY NOT CLOSING

SINU NOT CLOSING

Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 28 October 2018

“THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has denied media claims that it will be closing soon, due to cash flow problems.

“A statement issue by the country’s prestigious tertiary institution has clarified the claims, stating that there is no such thing as ‘Closing the University’.

“It was stated that the operation of the institution is normal.

“This is to inform the general public that the report circulating in print and social media of late on plans to close down Solomon Islands National University is totally baseless, misleading and mischievous.

“University operations and business is going on as normal,” the statement has detailed.

“It goes on to add that Students and their families are assured that the University has no such plans.

“Students are encouraged to continue with their studies and preparations for upcoming final examinations.”

“In an earlier interview with the Solomon Star, acting vice chancellor Professor (Dr.) Prem Rai said that this is not the kind of action they would like to take.

“Our simple call is for the government and sponsors to pay up their dues and not for us to close down the university because this will disturb the students, Professor Prem said.

“A fortnight ago, Professor (Dr.) Prem has revealed in a press conference that the university is facing severe cash flow problem due to non-payments of tuition for this year totaling up to $40million.

“He described the situation as a ‘very serious one.’

“Of the total, Constituency Scholarships Fund through the Members of Parliament (MP) owed the University around $14m, Guadalcanal Province Education Authority $8m, private &self-sponsored students $6m and several government ministries owned $12.8m for the second Semester.

“Professor Prem said with the remaining three months from October to December the cash-strapped University desperately needs funds and if nothing is paid or settled it will affect the institution.

“This University is owed millions of dollars in non-payment of school fees,” the Vice chancellor acting said.

“It was stated that the deadline to settle outstanding fees is 31st of October 2018.

“Government is currently the main sponsor of students at SINU.

“Due its financial situation, the government has been unable to pay up its grant to the university in recent times.

“Meanwhile in the statement last night, the university has advised the media to check the facts with the Vice-Chancellor’s office, and desist from reporting unsubstantiated information.”

Copyright @ 2018, Solomon Star news.

ENDANGERED SANTA CRUZ GROUND DOVE

Environment ministry acknowledges Jurong Bird Park

Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 28 January 2019

“THE Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology has acknowledged Jurong Bird Park in Singapore for breeding the country’s endangered Santa Cruz Ground Dove bird species.

“The news of the birds bred chicks in the past weeks in Singapore was indeed a positive sign of work MECDM and international partners are collaborating to protect the local bird species.

“Senior officer of Conservation Unit under the Environment Division of MECDM, Mr Josef Hurutarau recently made the statement applauding Jurong Bird Park for care taken for the Santa Cruz ground dove in their park.

“He pointed out that this is the rationale behind a MOU signed between SIG and Jurong Bird Park to send the birds for breeding in Singapore.

“Hurutarau said supporting that the MOU is to look at rehabilitate the birds in proper facility as they faced with threat in their native habits.

“He said about 30 pairs of the bird species were sent to Jurong Bird Park last year under the MOU for rehabilitation.

“Hurutarau explained that also agreed under the MOU, the birds will return when the government’s work on their native is done.”

Copyright @ 2019, Solomon Star News.

CROCODILE SKIN

Lifting crocodile skin export ban may take time: fisheries.

Quoting the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation – 24 January 2018

“A number of crocodile attacks in recent months have prompted calls in the media to lift the country’s ban on exporting crocodile skins.

“Proponents argue that would create an incentive for people to kill crocodiles and reduce the number of crocodile attacks as a result.

But Edward Honiwala, director of fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, said lifting the longtime ban on exporting crocodile skins could be a long process.

“The trade of saltwater crocodiles is currently banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

“Deputy Director of the Environment and Conservation Division in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Joe Hurutarau said fisheries regulations also prevent the export of crocodile skins.

“Exporting crocodiles is regulated under the Fisheries Act, and that is a current regulation, so we cannot export them,” he said.

“But as crocodiles continue to be a concern for many citizens, Mr Hurutarau’s division has secured funding from the Asian Development Bank to conduct a crocodile population study in the country.

“The study, proposed last year, is intended to gather information on the incidence of crocodile attacks.

“Basically we are looking at doing a population study and outreach to communities with awareness and safety messages so that they know what to do if crocodile attacks increase around their area or if there are crocodile sightings in the area where they live,” he said.

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