The Intersections Between Open Science and Intellectual Property Rights: Implications for Research Dissemination in African Universities

Sibongile Ngwenya

doi:10.25159/2520-9515/19805

Authors

Sibongile Ngwenya University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8819-9760

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/19805

Keywords:

open science , open research, intellectual property (IP), intellectual property rights (IPRs), Africa , universities, research dissemination

Abstract

While Africa has increasing interest in the internet and 4th industrial revolution technologies, it has minimal participation in the creation of scientific knowledge when compared to the Global North. Open science (OS) is a pivotal global response to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it is primarily focused on hastening the pace of scientific discovery and creating a culture of accountability to escalate public trust in science. In Africa, the implementation of the OS movement has been very slow due to, among others, poorly defined intellectual property right (IPR) frameworks governing research teams. However, very few studies comprehensively address the co-existence of OS and IPRs, even at a global scale. This article explores literature on OS in Africa, the relationship between OS and IPRs, and the implications for research dissemination in universities in Africa. The OS movement has the potential to impact Africa positively, but incompatibilities may arise between IPR and OS if the IPR frameworks are not properly defined as an essential tool to regulate OS. Fundamental premises should guide the value of an OS environment in African universities, such as affordable and easy sharing of, and access to, data, and engagement with all societal stakeholders to increase both effectiveness and sociopolitical validity. Universities in Africa must develop flexible models of science dissemination to transform the way of doing science and challenge old regulations, including the traditional IPR system.

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