News & Insights
Niger accedes to the Marrakesh Treaty
The Republic of Niger, a member state of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), has acceded to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. Niger deposited its instrument of accession with WIPO on 20 July 2026, and the Treaty will enter into […]
August 19 2026
OAPI highlights IP’s role in African craft innovation
At the Ninth International Handicrafts Fair of Cameroon (SIARC 2026), held in Yaoundé from 27 July to 5 August, the OAPI showcased the importance of IP protection in promoting innovation and competitiveness within Africa’s craft sector. Addressing the theme of balancing tradition and modernity, OAPI highlighted the range of IP tools available to artisans – […]
August 19 2026
Côte d’Ivoire hosts fourth Africa GI training programme
OAPI has launched the fourth edition of the Africa GI Training programme in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together 18 participants from 13 member states. The programme aims to strengthen expertise in the identification, protection, management and promotion of geographical indications (GIs), through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical workshops and field visits. By building capacity […]
August 19 2026
OAPI expands international cooperation at WIPO General Assemblies 2026
During the 2026 WIPO General Assemblies held in Geneva on 7-15 July, OAPI continued a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening international cooperation and promoting innovation across its member states. Discussions with the Francophone Intellectual Property Alliance and other institutional partners focused on leveraging IP to drive economic growth, innovation, and the valorisation of […]
August 19 2026
Kenya introduces new online IP filing system
The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) launched a new online filing system, which is now accessible through the KIPI website. The e-filing platform currently supports national applications and enables users to: File patent, industrial design, and utility model (UM) applications online. Make payments related to patent, industrial design, and utility model applications. The introduction of […]
August 19 2026
Ghana becomes first African country to sign APG agreement with the USPTO
Additional Topics: Ghana has become the first African country to enter into an Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) arrangement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), marking a significant milestone in international patent cooperation. Under the agreement, applicants who have already obtained a corresponding US patent may request accelerated grant of their Ghanaian patent […]
August 19 2026
Namibia modifies IP filing fee structure
Additional Topics: Amendments to the Namibian Industrial Property Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2026, introducing changes to the payment of official filing fees. For trade marks, patents and industrial designs, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has consolidated the application, publication, registration and certificate fees into a single fee payable at the […]
August 19 2026
Nigeria strengthens enforcement through anti-piracy partnership
Additional Topics: Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at combating drug trafficking and copyright piracy through enhanced inter-agency cooperation. The partnership recognises the increasing link between organised criminal networks and IP offences, with both agencies committing to intelligence sharing, joint […]
August 19 2026
Tunisia’s IP office goes digital
Additional Topics: On 24 June 2026, Tunisia’s IP office, the National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI), launched its digital industrial property system. With the introduction of the new system, INNORPI has transitioned from predominantly providing services in person to online. Effective from the launch date, the digital platform enables the electronic filing of […]
August 19 2026
Cape Verde aligns trade mark renewal term with filing date
Additional Topics: Following the entry into force of Cape Verde’s new Intellectual Property Code, the calculation of a trade mark registration’s term has been amended. Trade mark registrations will now be valid for 10 years from the filing date of the application, rather than from the date of grant, and may be renewed indefinitely for […]
August 19 2026
Sierra Leone strengthens IP framework
Additional Topics: Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards modernising its IP regime following Parliament’s unanimous ratification of several key international IP treaties and protocols in July 2026. The ratified instruments include the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks, the Trademark Law Treaty (Geneva), the Banjul Protocol on Marks administered by ARIPO, the […]
August 19 2026
Strengthening IP Partnerships and Digital Progress in Botswana
Towards the end of July, Adams & Adams Partner, Eugene Honey, and Africa Practice Manager, Menzi Maboyi, travelled to Gaborone to visit our Associate Office, other local partners and the Companies and Intellectual Property Agency (CIPA). At CIPA, we were warmly welcomed by the Assistant IP Registrar, Ms Malebogo Selemogo, and the Patents Officer, Mr […]
August 19 2026
Kenya advances national IP reform
Kenya’s Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry recently published a draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) for public comment. If adopted and implemented, the NIPPS will reshape Kenya’s IP ecosystem through legislative reform, expanded commercialisation support, enhanced institutional coordination and increased emphasis on IP as a driver of economic development. The draft sets […]
August 19 2026
Key takeaways from Kenya’s new IP Bill
The administration of IP in Kenya is currently fragmented. The KIPI administers patents, trade marks, utility models and industrial designs under the Industrial Property Act and the Trade Marks Act. The KECOBO administers copyright under the Copyright Act, while the ACA is responsible for combating counterfeiting under the Anti-Counterfeit Act. The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill […]
August 19 2026
WIPO and ARIPO strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), with support from the Japan Patent Office, convened the annual Regional Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Network Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 29 and 30 June 2026. Participants highlighted the strategic value of patent information as a tool for research, […]
August 19 2026
Insured’s Failure to Give Prompt Notice and Pre-Notice Alteration of Damaged Property Held to Bar Coverage as a Matter of Law
In Global Approach, Inc. v. Scottsdale Insurance Co., 2026 WL 1513430, a United States federal district court granted summary judgement in favour of a property insurer on the entirety of the insured’s breach of contract claim, holding that the insured’s approximately six-week delay in reporting a water damage loss – combined with its demolition and […]
August 18 2026
Litigation privilege and insurer-commissioned expert reports: A recent reaffirmation
Introduction A recent High Court judgment has reaffirmed the protection afforded by litigation privilege to expert reports commissioned by insurers in the context of pending litigation. The case concerned an application to compel the disclosure of a preliminary report prepared by an agricultural loss adjuster, which had been commissioned by the respondent’s insurer to assess […]
August 13 2026
The Art of Choosing a Trade Mark
For many business owners, choosing a name for a new business venture is an exciting stage of building a brand. However, it is also one of the most important decisions you will make, as your trade name often becomes your trade mark. A trade mark is a valuable asset that forms part of a business. […]
August 12 2026