"I believe that every country, whether poor or rich, has the capacity to create intellectual property assets," says Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office Director General Getachew Mengistie.  "In many developing countries, people perceive intellectual property as being in the interest of America, Europe and Japan.  This is a misperception.  Intellectual property, if properly used, can meet the needs of countries like Ethiopia."

Ethiopian farmers, near Jimma, southwest of Addis Ababa, select coffee berries, considered some of the world's best. (© AP Images)

Mengistie believes that intellectual property rights protection played a big role in the economic development of the United States, and Ethiopia wants to harness the same power.