This emerged at a press briefing on Friday addressed by Botswana Police officers and Microsoft representative from Kenya Abed Hlatshwayo. Addressing the media, Assistant Superintendent Near Bagali, from the public relations office said if intellectual property infringement is left unchecked it can be of great harm to the economy of any country therefore need to combat it with seriousness. "Our country has its own creative talents which brings us joy and enriches our lives. Unfortunately, the artists' rights are trampled upon by unscrupulous business people who operate with less regard to other people's interests. The entertainment industry, for example, is growing in music, film and other creative arts, which task all custodians of the law to protect all intellectual property rights accruing from such industries with no compromise," he said.
He said that the Botswana Police Service is training its officers, including other agencies such as the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS). He revealed that the Botswana Police Service, in conjunction with other stakeholders, drafted a new practical skills manual for Botswana criminal property investigators, the first edition of the Botswana Handbook for Criminal Intellectual Property Investigations - Best Practices for combating Intellectual Property Crimes.Assitant Superintendent Maniki, who was Assistant Superintendent Lebalang Maniki, and Inspector Cornenius Tsholofelo both from Central Police Station in Gaborone, revealed that in a recent operation they recorded six cases, arrested three suspects in connection with sale of counterfeit Puma t-shirts, shoes, and caps. He said other cases involved counterfeit cassettes, and CDs.
