News & Insights
Newsflash: FCC’s approach to recordation based on international and/or foreign trademark registrations
The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) in Tanzania has clarified that trade mark recordal applications supported by foreign, international, or ARIPO registrations will not be accepted. While the wording of the relevant regulation previously suggested, that foreign trade mark registrations could be relied upon, trade mark recordals must be based exclusively on valid Tanzanian national registrations. […]
June 05 2026
Bitcoin, Barter and the Blockchain: A Critical Reading of Mangundhla v South African Reserve Bank
A Gauteng High Court judgment handed down on 1 June 2026 concludes that Bitcoin is both “capital” and “money” under South Africa’s Exchange Control Regulations. The capital finding is defensible. The money finding is not. And the court’s treatment of what “export” actually means on a distributed ledger leaves the most difficult question unanswered. Case […]
June 03 2026
Proof that even IP lawyers need IP lawyers
This week we were reminded of just how easily trade mark infringement can occur online. This time, somewhat ironically, it was our own brand that needed protecting. When searching for Adams & Adams, another IP firm appeared in the sponsored Google results. That, in itself, is not unusual. As the largest IP firm in our […]
June 01 2026
Civil Law Update Seminar 2026
Key Developments Affecting Civil Litigation in Gauteng Discussions at the Civil Law Update Seminar held on 22 May 2026, hosted by the Pretoria Attorneys Association, provided important insight into the continued implementation of the Gauteng Division’s mandatory mediation framework and court operations affecting civil litigation in the division. The mediation directive has significantly reduced congestion […]
June 01 2026
EGIPA Introduces Increased Official Fees
Egypt implements increased official trademark fees Important Topics EGIPA INTRODUCES INCREASED OFFICIAL FEES The Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) has implemented increased official fees and additional service charges for trade mark related procedures under Decisions Nos. 64 and 65 of 2026. Effective from 5 March 2026, the changes apply to services administered by the Trade […]
May 27 2026
Zambia Publishes Long Awaited Patent Regulations
Zambia strengthens its patent framework with new regulations Important Topics ZAMBIA PUBLISHES LONG AWAITED PATENT REGULATIONS Zambia has recently published the long-awaited Regulations under The Patents Act, 2016 (Act No. 40 of 2016), introducing procedural and administrative updates aimed at modernising the country’s intellectual property framework. Previously, the new Act (2016) was read together with […]
May 27 2026
Uganda Passes Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill
Uganda advances copyright reform with stronger protections for creators and rights holders Important Topics UGANDA PASSES COPYRIGHT AND NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS AMENDMENT BILL Uganda’s Parliament has passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, modernising the country’s copyright framework to address digital developments and strengthen protection for creators and neighbouring rights holders. Approved in March […]
May 27 2026
Tunisia Strengthens its Role in AFCTA and OAPI Integration
Tunisia pushes for deeper AfCFTA integration and OAPI alignment Important Topics TUNISIA STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE IN AFCFTA AND OAPI INTEGRATION At the 9th Extraordinary Meeting of COMESA Trade Ministers on 2 April 2026, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, called for the accelerated signing and ratification of the OAPI agreement, proposing that […]
May 27 2026
Authorities Seize Counterfeit Goods Worth Millions
South Africa intensifies enforcement against counterfeit trade Additional Topics: AUTHORITIES SEIZE COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH MILLIONS South African authorities seized counterfeit goods worth over R5 million (approximately USD 303,500) during a two day enforcement operation in April 2026 in Bloemfontein’s central business district, confiscating more than 6,000 items including clothing, accessories, pharmaceuticals and other consumables. The […]
May 27 2026
South Africa: Zentia Trading v Eva Last Distributors – Design Rights Revoked
High Court decision underscores the strict novelty requirements for registered designs under South African law. Important Topics SOUTH AFRICA: ZENTIA TRADING V EVA LAST DISTRIBUTORS – DESIGN RIGHTS REVOKED In Zentia Trading (Pty) Ltd v Eva Last Distributors (Pty) Ltd, the High Court revoked 16 registered designs relating to arched deck boards after finding that […]
May 27 2026
OGAPI Intensifies Trade Name Enforcement in Nkok Zone
Additional Topics: Gabon is reinforcing trade name protection through targeted enforcement measures OGAPI INTENSIFIES TRADE NAME ENFORCEMENT IN NKOK ZONE From 1 to 10 April 2026, the Gabonese Industrial Property Office (OGAPI) carried out a compliance and awareness campaign in the Nkok Special Investment Zone, covering nearly 28 businesses and focusing on the legal availability […]
May 27 2026
OAPI–INPI France: 20th Joint Commission Strengthens IP Cooperation
OAPI continues to deepen regional and international cooperation, reinforcing its role in strengthening IP protection across Francophone Africa. Important Topics OAPI–INPI FRANCE: 20TH JOINT COMMISSION STRENGTHENS IP COOPERATION The 20th Joint Commission between the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI France) was held on 1 April 2026 […]
May 27 2026
Babcock University Hosts AI and IP Commercialisation Summit
Nigeria strengthening its innovation ecosystem through AI driven research and IP commercialisation Important Topics BABCOCK UNIVERSITY HOSTS AI AND IP COMMERCIALISATION SUMMIT Babcock University hosted the AI & Babcock Innovation Venture (BIV) Commercialisation Summit 2026 on 21–22 April 2026 convening global leaders to accelerate AI driven innovation in Africa. The summit focused on turning academic […]
May 27 2026
Liberia Waives IP Fees for the Sports Sector
Recent developments in Liberia highlight targeted measures to strengthen IP protection and commercialisation in the sports sector. Important Topics LIBERIA WAIVES IP FEES FOR THE SPORTS SECTOR The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), has introduced a one month waiver of administrative fees for IP registrations by sports stakeholders, with immediate effect. The initiative aims to […]
May 27 2026
Proposed GI Bill to Boost Protection of Kenyan Products
Kenya proposes Geographical Indications Bill to protect local products Additional Topics PROPOSED GI BILL TO BOOST PROTECTION OF KENYAN PRODUCTS Kenya is preparing to introduce a Geographical Indications Bill (GIB) to protect locally produced goods and enhance their competitiveness in international markets. Expected to be tabled before mid 2026, the Bill aims to prevent imitation […]
May 27 2026
Kenya Introduces New Copyright Bill
Kenya moves to modernise its copyright framework with proposed legislative reform Important Topics KENYA INTRODUCES NEW COPYRIGHT BILL Kenya has published the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026, marking the first major overhaul of its copyright regime since 2001. Released by Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) for public consultation in March 2026, the Bill aims to […]
May 27 2026
Court Upholds Plant Variety Protection
Additional Topics: Egyptian court upholds plant variety protection for proprietary grape cultivar COURT UPHOLDS PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION On 14 March 2026, the Egyptian Administrative Court ruled in favour of Sun World International, upholding the validity and enforceability of plant variety protection for its seedless grape variety Sugrathirteen (marketed as Midnight Beauty). The Court dismissed an […]
May 27 2026
South Sudan considers ARIPO accession
Important Topics ARIPO – SOUTH SUDAN ENGAGEMENT ON IP FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) hosted a high‑level delegation from South Sudan at its Headquarters from 13–14 April 2026, marking a further deepening of engagement following ARIPO’s high‑level visit to South Sudan in June 2025. Discussions centred on the strategic role of […]
May 27 2026