Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe Copyright Office (BBDA) inaugurated a capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of judicial actors in copyright and collective management. This initiative, launched in Ouagadougou, seeks to improve the management of disputes concerning the protection of intellectual works.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Director General of the BBDA, Zita Daniel Bonzi, emphasized the workshop's significance by bringing together magistrates, lawyers, and bailiffs-key partners in enforcing copyright and related rights. Bonzi highlighted the increasing complexity of copyright issues, driven by technological advancements and a surge in offenses such as illegal reproduction, unauthorized distribution, and digital counterfeiting.

"The issue of copyright is not sufficiently understood today by all stakeholders," Bonzi remarked. "On the ground, we are seeing several difficulties, including disputes between producers, publishers, and users of works. It was therefore important to engage with stakeholders in the legal system to enable them to become more familiar with the laws governing copyright and collective management."

Bonzi reiterated the importance of copyright as a tool for protecting intellectual, artistic, and cultural creations. He underscored that collective management is vital for ensuring fair compensation for creators while facilitating public access to protected works. "Copyright protection is a matter of justice, but also a matter of civilization. By protecting creators, we protect our cultural identity, our diversity, and our common future," he added.

BBDA anticipates that this training will foster stronger collaboration with the judiciary and enhance understanding of the legal framework, thus aiding in the efficient handling of copyright-related cases.

Banquo Achille, the Advocate General at the Court of Cassation, noted that the workshop serves as an opportunity to update the knowledge of magistrates on this evolving subject. "The texts are evolving rapidly. Even though we are magistrates, we learn every day. This workshop will allow us to better equip ourselves to support the BBDA and handle the disputes that will be submitted to us, particularly at the level of the Court of Cassation where we ensure the proper application and interpretation of the law," he stated.

Achille praised the initiative for fostering communication among judicial actors and the BBDA, contributing to improved management of copyright-related issues.