News & Insights
Awareness of Fraudulent Communications
Adams & Adams Fraudulent Impersonation Alert It has come to our attention that fraudulent emails (particularly from a Microsoft Outlook account of adams-adams-attorneys@outlook.com) are being sent to clients and the public, falsely claiming to represent our firm and requesting payments and information. These emails may appear legitimate and use our branding or the names of […]
May 21 2025
No Shortcut Around the Clock: Tribunal Reaffirms Firm Stance on Condonation in Pension Fund Disputes
In the recent decision of NN and OB Transport CC and Others v Transport Sector Retirement Fund and Others, the Financial Services Tribunal dismissed the employer’s application for reconsideration of a Pension Funds Adjudicator’s determination. At the heart of the dismissal was not only a lack of merit in the underlying dispute, but a critical […]
May 20 2025
Rule of Law Prevails: Where are we with the Constitutional Challenge to the NHI Act?
Background and Facts Just over a year ago and leading to the national elections, on 15 May 2024, the President of South Africa assented to and signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law, a move that was met with significant opposition from various stakeholders, including the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa […]
May 20 2025
Video Evidence Seals the Deal: High Court Enforces Suretyships
Facts and Issues In a recent judgment delivered by the Gauteng Division of the High Court, the Plaintiff, a major financial institution, sought a monetary judgment against the Defendants, who had bound themselves as sureties for a company that had defaulted on several loan and facility agreements. The company, for which the Defendants stood surety, […]
May 15 2025
Digital transformation at Namibia Revenue Authority
The Namibia Revenue Agency, NAMRA, has set a goal of reaching full digitisation within the next 4 years. This will eliminate the need for customers to seek in-person consultations and will allow NAMRA to become paperless. The digitisation process will require integration with several other institutions such as banks, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority […]
May 14 2025
Togo registers kovié rice as its first Protected Geographical Indication
On 3 April 2025, kovié rice, hailing from the Kovié region, became Togo’s first Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). This PGI designation, granted by OAPI, will serve to ensure the quality of goods bearing the name kovié rice, fondly known as Kovié molou to locals. Kovié rice is known for its distinct aroma and ancestral cultivation […]
May 14 2025
Senegal shines at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions
The 50th edition of the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions took place between 9 and 12 April 2025. Senegal’s delegation of 12 researchers, students and inventors walked away with an impressive number of awards for, inter alia, low-cost medical devices and environmentally friendly packaging. Specifically, the Senegalese delegation earned 10 awards, including 5 gold medals, […]
May 14 2025
WIPO’s Director General visits Tunisia and pledges support of Tunisia’s new IP Strategy
WIPO Director General, Daren Tang, recently held an official visit to Tunisia. During his 3-day visit, he met with a number of key leaders and engaged in high-level discussions regarding the role of intellectual property in ensuring that Tunisia reaches its economic development goals. This visit demonstrates WIPO’s continued support for assisting African countries in […]
May 14 2025
Project 1%: WIPO Academy and WIPO Nigeria Office joint effort to bring IP education to Nigerian youth
The goal of “Project 1%” is to bring IP education to 1% of Nigeria’s youth and students. The WIPO Academy and WIPO Nigeria Office have been engaging with local educational institutions and stakeholders to provide IP education to over 2 million youth before 2030. Since its launch, over 1 000 participants have engaged in the […]
May 14 2025
Commercialisation of Intellectual Property in Kenya
On 15 April 2025, the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held a meeting to discuss IP protection, commercialisation strategies and innovation excellence. Separately, in a celebration to mark World IP Day 2025, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the commercialisation of IP was at the […]
May 14 2025
Malawi Parliament passes 2 key IP Bills
On 1 April 2025, the Malawi Parliament passed the following Bills: Bill No. 1 of 2025: Companies, Registrations, and Intellectual Properties Centre; and Bill No. 2 of 2025: Copyright (Amendment). The introduction of the above Bills reflects Malawi’s efforts to bring its IP legislation in line with international standards underpinned by the Malawi Intellectual Property […]
May 14 2025
Heritage Hub unveiled by Copyright Society of Malawi
The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), making use of the Copyright Fund, constructed a heritage hub in order to highlight and preserve cultural heritage and practices in Kwenje Village, Dowa, Malawi. The launch of the heritage hub has been well-received by local traditional leaders and will serve as a venue for various cultural events and […]
May 14 2025
Intellectual Property heralded as part of the national agenda in Liberia
Ahead of World Intellectual Property Day, the Liberian government hosted a National Intellectual Property Conference to reinforce its commitment to explore the role of intellectual property in achieving the country’s national development goals. Specifically, the office of the President expressed that the President wishes to host a National Intellectual Property Summit to engage in discussion […]
May 14 2025
Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) joins EUIPO’s digital database
In February 2024, the Togolese Institute for Intellectual Property and Technology (INPIT) launched a competition for a visual rebrand. The national competition was open to designers to submit a proposed new logo. The Ministry of Industry and Investment Promotion supported this competition in order to modernise INPIT’s image. On 30 April 2025, INPIT’s new logo […]
May 14 2025
Visual rebrand for the Togolese Institute for Intellectual Property and Technology
In February 2024, the Togolese Institute for Intellectual Property and Technology (INPIT) launched a competition for a visual rebrand. The national competition was open to designers to submit a proposed new logo. The Ministry of Industry and Investment Promotion supported this competition in order to modernise INPIT’s image. On 30 April 2025, INPIT’s new logo […]
May 14 2025
AfCFTA’s Committee on Intellectual Property Rights negotiations begin
The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat convened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during 7 to 18 April 2025. The purpose of the 5th and 6th meetings of the Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) was to initiate negotiations on the draft Annexes relating to Intellectual Property Rights. The aim of the draft Annexes is to drive […]
May 14 2025
Malawian delegation visits ARIPO office
On 15 April 2025, a distinguished delegation of Malawian officials visited ARIPO’s office in Harare, Zimbabwe. This visit marked Malawi’s commitment towards advancing intellectual property rights protection in Malawi. The engagements largely surrounded the 2 bills passed by the Malawian parliament, which centres around a new IP office as a semi-autonomous government agency. The Director […]
May 14 2025
Directorate of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights established in Uganda
The celebration of World Intellectual Property Day in Uganda also marked the official establishment of the Directorate of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, situated at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). The theme of World Intellectual Property Day, 2025 was “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”. This theme closely aligns with the goals of […]
May 14 2025