LEGAL LANDSCAPE FOR PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Industrial designs are features incorporated into mass produced products that aim to enhance theirattractiveness by their appearance. The law protects novel designs for the benefit of the ingenious creator.The Nigerian economy which is still developing acknowledges the potential for industrial designs. The countryembarked on an economic transformation agenda styled Vision 20:2020 put in place 21 years ago as anindustrialization strategy that has obviously not been impactful. Despite this and other pitfalls in industry, theNigerian creator has trudged on in producing brands that are unique and in demand internationally. However,adequate legislation is as much needed for technological advancement as introduction of ground-breakingmachinery or epoch-making products. The drive for rapid industrialization of Nigeria is paramount to breakthe dominance of oil exploration and exportation as major source of national revenue. The nation has a wealthof enterprising and innovative creators of industrially replicated products with the potential of being anindustrial power where these talents are harnessed. This discourse made a brief tracing of the history ofindustrial designs; an analysis of the legal regime in Nigeria for industrial designs; the challenges to properprotection of industrial designs and makes recommendations for improvement of the current situation includingupgrade of national security, human capital development, tax holidays for creative minds and the promotion orcelebration of artisanal activities.