Intellectual Property (IP) Law in Kenya aims to balance innovation incentives with public access to knowledge. Universities are pivotal actors in fostering technology transfer by leveraging IP rights. Qualitative analysis of academic policies, interviews with university officials, and a review of existing case studies to assess the effectiveness of current IP frameworks in promoting innovation and education exchange. The data reveals that while universities have robust intellectual property management systems in place, there is room for improvement in aligning these systems with national economic development goals and international standards. Current policies favoring IP rights over equitable sharing of knowledge may hinder technology transfer efficiency and impact on broader societal benefits. Recommendations include harmonizing local regulations with global best practices and enhancing transparency in licensing agreements. University administrators should work closely with policymakers to draft new laws that strike a better balance between protecting intellectual property and ensuring public access to technological advancements.
Mbathi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.