The Commissioner of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Advocate Rory Voller, has emphasised that protecting innovation is essential for South Africa’s economic development, competitiveness and job creation. Voller spoke at the 6th Annual Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Commercialisation Colloquium, which concluded yesterday at the Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with the CIPC and Sol Plaatjie University, the annual colloquium brought together stakeholders from government, academia, business and the innovation ecosystem to promote best practices in intellectual property management and technology commercialisation.

Voller stressed that in a world defined by rapid technological change and shifting global markets, a country’s ability to innovate and protect its innovations is essential.

He said innovation plays a critical role in driving productivity, job creation and global competitiveness.

“The CIPC provides the legal framework and registration systems that protect IP in South Africa. Our work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact is deeply felt across large parts of the economy,” he said.

He added that protecting IP ensures that innovators and entrepreneurs are able to retain the value of their ideas.

“When a young entrepreneur develops a new technology, or a start-up launches a new product, IP protection ensures that the value created by those innovations is secured,” he said.

He also highlighted initiatives implemented by the CIPC to support innovators, including programmes that assist under-resourced inventors with technical support when filing patent and design applications.

Voller stressed that innovation must be supported by an enabling regulatory and business environment.

“Ease of doing business is not just about convenience; it is a strategic component of economic development. When entrepreneurs  formalise their ventures efficiently, and investors  navigate regulatory frameworks with confidence, the entire economy benefits,” he said.

He concluded that collaboration across government, academia and industry remains essential to unlocking the full economic value of South Africa’s IP.

Caption: Commissioner of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, Advocate Rory Voller, delivers remarks at the 6th Annual Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialisation Colloquium hosted at Sol Plaatjie University in Kimberley, Northern Cape.