The Intellectual Property Management (IP) office at the Durban University of Technology recently hosted a Copyright Compliance workshop to raise awareness amongst DUT staff members and students about the laws and procedures regarding the exclusive right to control the use of work.
Speaking at the presentation, DUT’S Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Professor Friederick Otieno said that copyright is one of the most important and fundamental aspects at a university, and lecturers should have a brief understanding of the procedures that need to be followed every time information is used. “Our students too must be informed about the importance of protecting their inventions and also place in mind at all times that the use of somebody’s information without acknowledgement is serious fraud”, he explained.

Hosting the presentation, Manager of the IP office, Ramika Pillay said Copyrighting serves as an umbrella that will protect the owner and the user of information from being ripped off or from being charged with fraud. “When the IP offices were formed by the institution (DUT) we realised that we had a job to do in blowing the whistle to protect both staff and students. We have also made it easy for staff members who struggle to find time to visit our offices , by uploading forms under the staff portal on the DUT website” , she said

– Happiness Mntungwa