News & Insights
Turning locally developed IP into battery-sector opportunities
South Africa is seeking to strengthen its position in the global electric mobility and battery value chains by supporting the development and commercialisation of locally developed technologies and intellectual property. Speaking at the 2026 uYilo e-Mobility Summit on 26 August, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation highlighted government programmes supporting research, innovation, IP […]
September 15 2026
Track-and-trace measures target illicit goods
South Africa is stepping up cooperation between the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to combat illicit goods. The two authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2026 to strengthen information sharing and cooperation in customs, tax and consumer protection enforcement. The NCC’s current plans also include developing a […]
September 15 2026
Healthcare technology investment fund under consideration
Egypt is exploring the establishment of a dedicated investment fund for biotechnology, medical devices and digital health technologies. Discussions between the Ministry of Health and Gold Rock Venture in August focused, among other things, on linking scientific research and intellectual property with product development, technology transfer, local manufacturing and commercialisation. The proposed initiative would also […]
September 15 2026
OAPI rejects AFP opposition against AFO + Logo
In a decision dated 19 May 2026, OAPI rejected Agence France-Presse (AFP)’s opposition against the “AFO + Logo” mark, which was opposed on the basis of AFP’s earlier “AFP + Logo” mark. Although the marks covered overlapping services in Classes 35, 38 and 41, OAPI found that the similarities between the signs, including the shared […]
September 15 2026
Côte d’Ivoire advances protection and recognition of its shea butter
Côte d’Ivoire is taking further steps to enhance the recognition and commercial value of its shea butter. On 27 August 2026, the National Committee for Geographical Indications and Collective Marks (CMC) adopted the technical documentation for the creation of SHEATROU, a label for “Shea Butter from Côte d’Ivoire”. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the […]
September 15 2026
Nigeria clarifies copyright ownership of musical works
The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a ₦5 billion copyright claim brought by music producer Michael Oluwole against Nigerian gospel artiste Sinach in relation to her internationally successful song “Way Maker”. In a judgment delivered on 24 July 2026, the Court found that Oluwole had failed to establish that he was a co-author […]
September 15 2026
Nigerian Court of Appeal upholds refusal of COSON injunction
The Court of Appeal in Lagos has dismissed an interlocutory appeal brought by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), affirming the Federal High Court’s refusal to restrain the Commission from taking regulatory action against COSON. The judgment, delivered on 9 July 2026, also awarded costs of ₦200,000 against COSON. […]
September 15 2026
A new framework for IP-backed finance in Nigeria
Nigeria is taking steps to make intellectual property a more commercially usable financial asset. On 5 August 2026, the Federal Government unveiled a Comprehensive Framework for the Development of IP Commercialisation and Securitisation for the Creative Industry, developed through the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy with support from the Afreximbank […]
September 15 2026
Kenya proposes major restructuring of its intellectual property system
Kenya is considering a major restructuring of its intellectual property system under the Kenya Intellectual Property Bill, 2026. During a parliamentary hearing on 18 August 2026, the Principal Secretary for Industry highlighted the proposal to consolidate the functions of KIPI, KECOBO and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority under a new Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), alongside the […]
September 15 2026
Building Africa’s next generation of plant breeders
More than 40 emerging plant breeders and researchers from 10 African countries participated in a series of training programmes in Nairobi under the VACS Capacity Project, focusing on quantitative genetics, genomic analysis and digital breeding tools. The initiative is aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to develop climate-resilient and nutritious crop varieties. While not an IP […]
September 15 2026
Supporting trade mark protection for Ghanaian women entrepreneurs
Ghana is strengthening intellectual property awareness among women-led agribusinesses through a collaboration between the Registrar-General’s Department, through the Ghana Industrial Property Office (GHIPO), WIPO and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry. In August 2026, the partners conducted training in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale for women entrepreneurs across the agricultural value chain, with a particular […]
September 15 2026
Pharmaceutical R&D and IP commercialisation gain momentum in Ghana
Eight Ghanaian research-industry partnerships have received €2 million in grants under the PharmaVax Ghana programme to advance vaccine and pharmaceutical R&D, including projects involving malaria treatments and AI-assisted antibody discovery. The programme is intended to help translate research into locally manufactured health products for Ghana and regional markets, with IP protection and technology transfer identified […]
September 15 2026
ARIPO strengthens engagement with Tanzania
ARIPO continues to deepen engagement with its Member States, with Tanzania being the latest focus of discussions at the regional level. On 27 August 2026, ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze met with Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. CP Suzan Salome Kaganda, at the ARIPO Secretariat in Harare. The discussions covered Tanzania’s priorities and opportunities for […]
September 15 2026
Historic Registration: Madd de Casamance and Penja Pepper Enter the Lisbon System
On 20 August 2026, Senegal’s Madd from Casamance and Cameroon’s Penja Pepper received their international registration certificates at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. The registrations mark an important first for the OAPI region, as the two products are the first geographical indications originating from the OAPI area to be […]
September 15 2026
Registered Today, Problem Tomorrow: Why Early Company Name Objections Matter
A Company Name Can Threaten Your Brand Long Before Trading Begins Many businesses assume brand protection only becomes relevant once a competing business starts operating in the market. In reality, South African law allows trade mark owners to act much earlier, often as soon as a conflicting company name is registered. The interaction between the […]
September 15 2026
Contractual Liability Exclusion Must Be Assessed Against Each Cause of Action Separately, Not Applied Wholesale Where Multiple Claims Are Pleaded in One Action
In Las Vegas Sands, LLC v. National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, reviewing the matter de novo, held that the lower court had erred in treating legally distinct causes of action – breach of contract, fraud, and quantum meruit – pleaded within a single […]
September 15 2026
Newsflash Adams & Adams strengthens Africa-wide IP network as businesses face growing cross-border complexity
13th Africa Network Meeting highlights how trusted local expertise and central coordination can support IP protection across multiple African markets September 2026, Pretoria – As businesses expand into Africa, managing intellectual property (IP) across different legal and regulatory systems is becoming increasingly complex. Adams & Adams says combining strong local expertise with regional coordination will be critical […]
September 09 2026
Know your Fund Rules: when can a Pension Fund be held liable for investment loss?
Factual exposition: Mr Carl Francois Conradie (“Mr Conradie”) had been employed from 01 January 1993 until he retired on 31 January 2022. During his employment, he belonged to his employer’s pension fund, and monthly contributions were deducted from his salary. In August 2013, Mr Conradie transferred from his employer’s pension fund to join Fundsatwork Umbrella […]
September 09 2026