News & Insights
Key takeaways from Kenya’s new Intellectual Property Bill
The administration of intellectual property in Kenya is currently fragmented. The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (“KIPI”) administers patents, trade marks, utility models and industrial designs under the Industrial Property Act and the Trade Marks Act. The Kenya Copyright Board (“KECOBO”) administers copyright under the Copyright Act and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (“ACA”) combats counterfeiting in terms […]
July 21 2026
ARIPO advances Digital IP Services in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone recently hosted an ARIPO Online Services Sensitisation Workshop aimed at increasing awareness and adoption of digital intellectual property services. The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General, and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), brought together […]
July 16 2026
OAPI strengthens international cooperation at Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO, 2026
The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and fostering innovation across its 17 member states during the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), hosted in Geneva from 7 to 15 July 2026. Led by Director General […]
July 16 2026
Kenyan High Court strikes down directive affecting intellectual property administration
In a landmark judgment delivered on 29 June 2026, the Kenyan High Court has nullified the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry’s directive of 30 September 2025, which sought to require Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) Board approval for the registration, renewal and revocation of trade marks, patents, utility models and industrial designs. This is […]
July 16 2026
Tunisia showcases Women-Led Innovation through Innovative Africa 2026
The Tunisian edition of Innovative Africa 2026 was recently held in Sfax, bringing together female entrepreneurs, innovators and industry experts for a programme focused on strengthening innovation-driven businesses and expanding their access to regional and international markets. The initiative formed part of broader efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa, with a particular emphasis […]
July 16 2026
Adams & Adams contributes to Ethiopia’s Trade Mark Law Reform Efforts
Adams & Adams has recently played a meaningful role in ongoing efforts to modernise Ethiopia’s trade mark framework, contributing technical comments and practical recommendations to a stakeholder consultation process on proposed amendments to the country’s trade mark legislation. The initiative forms part of broader intellectual property reforms being undertaken by Ethiopian authorities as the country […]
July 16 2026
Libya resumes publication of trade marks for opposition purposes
Following an extended period during which the publication of trade marks in Libya were suspended, the Commercial Registry Authority has resumed the electronic publication of trade marks through its official website. The 2026 Electronic Trademark Gazette was published on 14 May 2026, covering application numbers ranging from 55261 to 57597. In accordance with the applicable […]
July 16 2026
Stricter enforcement of Sudanese trade mark renewals
The Registrar General of Intellectual Property Administration in Sudan has confirmed a return to the strict application of Article 19(3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1969. According to this provision, trade mark proprietors are afforded a six-month statutory grace period after the expiry date of a registration to renew their mark, provided that the prescribed […]
July 16 2026
Apostille Convention implementation in Algeria
Algeria will become fully operational under the Apostille Convention on 9 July 2026, following its formal accession to the treaty on 5 November 2025. Once implemented, public documents intended for use in Algeria will generally no longer require consular legalisation and may instead be authenticated through the issuance of a single Apostille certificate (provided that […]
July 16 2026
Nigeria marks milestone as WIPO opens its first Sub-Saharan African Office
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, has become the home of WIPO’s first office in Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a significant milestone in the development of the continent’s intellectual property landscape. The office was officially inaugurated during the visit of WIPO Director General Daren Tang in June 2026, and is intended to strengthen IP awareness, support innovation and […]
July 16 2026
Constitutional Court Delivers Landmark but Incomplete Copyright Ruling. Parliament Must Now Seize the Opportunity to Modernise South Africa’s Copyright Law for the AI Era
JOHANNESBURG — On 26 June 2026, the Constitutional Court of South Africa handed down its long-awaited judgment in Ex Parte President of the Republic of South Africa: In re Constitutionality of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill (CCT 306/24). The majority judgment, authored by Justice Mhlantla, marks the first time the […]
July 13 2026
Competition Commission to examine competition dynamics in franchising sector
On 26 June 2026, the Competition Commission published draft Terms of Reference for a proposed market inquiry into South Africa’s franchising sector. The market inquiry is initiated because the Commission believes that features in the industry may impede, distort or restrict competition in the South African franchise industry. The proposed inquiry matters because franchising is […]
July 10 2026
Newsflash: First-Ever SEP Judgment in Africa – Moroccan Court Interdicts Transsion Smartphone Sales
The Casablanca Trade Court on 6 July 2026 handed down what appears to be Africa’s first standard essential patent (SEP) ruling, interdicting two Transsion Holdings subsidiaries, Tecno Mobile Limited and Itel Mobility Limited, from selling 4G and 5G smartphones found to infringe Ericsson cellular patents. The Moroccan proceedings sit within a broader multi-jurisdictional offensive launched […]
July 09 2026
A Slow Burn
The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill saw additional progress towards the end of June this year. Specifically, the Portfolio Committee on Health adopted a motion of desirability of the bill in an almost unanimous vote at a recent meeting. This means that the committee acknowledged that the legislation is required in principle […]
July 08 2026
Calling Your Bluff
With the prolific rise of online gambling, the trade mark and regulatory landscape is also an area of growing interest worldwide, including in South Africa. In the USA, Kalshi Inc., which describes itself as a “regulated exchange dedicated to trading on the outcome of future events”, previously applied for trade marks covering “Bookmaking services” and […]
July 08 2026
The Battle for Bok Friday: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Moves Beyond the Field
As temperatures drop around the country, rugby is hotting up. South African rugby fans have plenty to look forward to in 2026, including the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour which will take place from 7 August 2026 to 12 September 2026. The tour will see South Africa hosting the All Blacks as they travel the country […]
July 07 2026
The Logo Behind the Logo: Levi's and the Value of Brand Recognition
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced no shortage of memorable moments. One of the most interesting, however, did not happen on the pitch but it did happen outside a stadium in California, under a white sheet. FIFA’s commercial framework for the World Cup is designed to safeguard the exclusivity enjoyed by its official sponsors. […]
July 06 2026
Acknowledgement of Debt - Promissory note
FACTUAL BACKGROUND The plaintiff issued summons against the defendant for payment of R696,002.42, together with interest and costs. The claim was founded upon an Acknowledgement of Debt (“AOD”) concluded between the parties on 21 July 2020 at Bloemfontein. In terms of the AOD, the defendant acknowledged being truly and lawfully indebted to the plaintiff in […]
June 30 2026