New Elgar Companion Explores Intellectual Property’s Role in Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals

In recognition of World Intellectual Property Day, the University of Cape Town (UCT) News spotlighted a landmark publication that rigorously investigates the intersection of intellectual property (IP) law and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Elgar Companion to Intellectual Property and the Sustainable Development Goals is a collaborative work by more than 30 international IP scholars, including Professor Caroline Ncube, the South African Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development at UCT.

The UN’s 17 SDGs, encompassing 169 targets, provide a comprehensive framework aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development globally. However, progress towards these goals remains slow, with only about 15% of targets achieved to date. One contributing factor is the uneven global distribution of technology and its associated benefits.

Technological innovation is widely recognized as a critical driver of economic growth and a key enabler for achieving the SDGs. Yet, the mechanisms underpinning innovation and IP protection are complex and have far-reaching social and economic implications.

Professor Ncube emphasized that prior to this volume, there had been no comprehensive scholarly examination of how IP interacts with each of the 17 SDGs. “There has never been a comprehensive look at all 17 of the SDGs in the light of IP,” she stated, explaining that this gap motivated the creation of the Companion.

Together with co-editors Professor Matthew Rimmer of Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and Dr Bita Amani of Queen’s University, Canada, Ncube curated a diverse group of contributors. The editorial team prioritized geographic balance, subject-matter expertise, and gender parity to ensure a well-rounded and authoritative volume.

Reflecting on the authorship, Ncube noted the significant presence of African scholars. “We sat down and figured out our ‘dream team’, if you will. This included leading voices in the area as well as emerging voices that aren’t necessarily heard enough,” she said. “Given the substantial IP work underway on the African continent, it’s no surprise that many contributors are African.”

Dr Desmond Oriakhogba, senior lecturer in the Department of Private Law at the University of the Western Cape and a contributor to the Companion, underscored the importance of African perspectives. He highlighted that control over the global knowledge economy equates to influence over global developments. “Whoever controls the knowledge space – the global knowledge economy – controls what is happening in the world,” Oriakhogba remarked.

He argued that for Africa to strengthen its position in the knowledge economy, it must develop IP frameworks that nurture innovation for the continent’s benefit. “Nobody can better tell the story of the interaction between IP and the SDGs than those who are living that story,” he added, emphasizing the value of context-specific insights.

Professor Ncube concurred, stressing that scholars immersed in their local contexts are best positioned to analyze and address the challenges and opportunities presented by IP in relation to sustainable development. “It’s important that we have African scholars be the agents and writers of this research,” she said.

The Elgar Companion thus represents a critical resource for policymakers, academics, and practitioners seeking to understand and leverage intellectual property as a tool to advance the UN SDGs, particularly in regions where equitable access to innovation remains a pressing challenge.