News & Insights
BUT WHO WILL KEEP OUR PETS?
In a deeply emotional and unusually contentious dispute stretching nearly two years, the High Court concluded that Benji, a young Labrador, must be returned to the applicant. South African law currently treats pets as property, not dependants or “children” whose best interests must be considered. The Pretoria High Court, as such, had to determine who […]
November 21 2025
SUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE, NOT SUSPICION: CLARIFYING PRESCRIPTION IN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASES
Introduction: The recent Eastern Cape Division of the High Court judgment in N[…] v Member of the Executive for the Department of Health, Eastern Cape serves as a critical reminder of the intricacies surrounding prescription in medical malpractice claims, particularly where the claimant is a layperson with limited access to medical knowledge. The judgment further […]
November 20 2025
U.S. Court Applies “Interrelated Wrongful Acts” and Client‑Services Limits to Defeat PI Claim
A U.S. federal court, applying California law, has recently held that a financial services firm had no cover under its professional liability policy for a client’s claim because the alleged misconduct was part of a single, interrelated course of conduct that began before the policy incepted. The court also found, independently, that cover failed because […]
November 19 2025
INTERDICT, APPEAL, REVIEW: DISSECTING THE LIMITS OF INTERIM RELIEF IN HPCSA MATTERS
On 4 November 2025, the Pretoria High Court delivered an important judgment on the nature and limits of the statutory framework governing the internal processes of the HPCSA. The judgment is significant for medical and healthcare professionals and, to an extent, for professional indemnity insurers and other stakeholders Summary of facts: The applicant, the medical […]
November 18 2025
Late Means Late: U.S. Court Affirms Coverage Bar for Untimely Notice Under Claims‑Made Policy
The Eleventh Circuit has confirmed that an insured’s failure to give prompt notice of a pollution condition—despite reporting within the policy period—can defeat coverage under a claims‑made policy where the insured cannot overcome the presumption of prejudice to the insurer under the law of the state in which the dispute arose. In many other US […]
November 17 2025
KEEPING CREDIT & CONSUMER LAW IN THEIR LANES: LESSONS FROM A VEHICLE FINANCE SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Background: This case involved an application for summary judgment by a credit provider. The dispute arose from an instalment sale agreement signed on 1 August 2023 to finance a motor vehicle. The first payment was due on 30 September 2023, and the last on 30 August 2029. The buyer never made any payments. The credit […]
November 14 2025
Veggie burgers are back in the game!
After much uncertainty as to the fate of veggie burgers and veggie sausages, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (the Department) has recently provided much needed clarity on the naming conventions for meat analogues. Meat analogues are also known in South Africa and elsewhere around the world as meat substitutes or imitation […]
November 13 2025
The Trademark Office reintroduces local attestation requirement
The Libyan Trademark Office has announced the reinstatement of the requirement for local attestation of legalised documents by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. As a result, powers of attorney and other official documentation submitted to the Office in support of trademark-related matters must be legalised up to the Libyan Consulate abroad […]
November 13 2025
A blow for ARIPO trade mark registrations designating Tanzania
In a recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania (the country’s apex court), the validity and enforceability of a trade mark registration, designating Tanzania, and granted by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (“ARIPO”) was called into question. While it was not disputed that Tanzania is a signatory of Lusaka Agreement and the […]
November 13 2025
Steps toward curbing piracy
In October, the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (“MCSN”) and the Broadcast Organization of Nigeria (“BON”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), which is aimed at strengthening the recognition and protection of copyright in the nation’s broadcasting industry. With piracy being a significant problem in Nigeria, affecting not just the compensation due to copyright owners, […]
November 13 2025
Corporate Law reforms
Earlier this year, Namibia introduced the Corporate Law Reform Bill, which seeks to overhaul and modernise outdated statutory instruments. The deadline for public comment has been extended and interested parties are called on to submit their comments by 31 December 2025.
November 13 2025
Liberia to ratify the Arusha and Kampala Protocols
Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, has signalled that Liberia will sign and ratify the Arusha Protocol, which seeks to protect new plant varieties, and the Kampala Protocol, which allows for the voluntary registration of copyright. This commitment forms part of the current administration’s focus on developing a robust national intellectual property policy and in support […]
November 13 2025
Annual fees on plant breeders’ rights
Holders of South African plant breeders’ rights are reminded that, under the newly enacted Plant Breeders Rights’ Act of 2018 annual fees are now due by 31 March each year and no longer by 1 January. This also applies to PBR’s granted under the repealed 1976 act.
November 13 2025
General increase of official fees
In October, EGIPA also published various ministerial decisions affecting the official fees payable relating to the prosecution of applications, registrations, and maintenance of registrations in respect of patents, plant varieties, and copyright. While Decision No. 138 of 2025 seeks to adjust the official fees relating to specific patent procedures, Decision No. 140 relates to official […]
November 13 2025
Trademark Office relocating its premises
The Egyptian Trademark Office has begun preparations for its planned relocation to the premises of the Egyptian General Intellectual Property Authority (“EGIPA”). While a formal report is yet to be released, the transfer of physical documents and office materials is currently in process, and the Treasury Department will be moved thereafter. During the relocation, a […]
November 13 2025
The latest developments relating to the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill [B 33-2022]
Introduced in Parliament back in 2022, The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill [B 33-2022] (the “Bill”) seeks to introduce, amongst other things, plain packaging for tobacco products. During the course of this year, NEDLAC has weighed in on the bill and, since May, public hearings have also been held. From a meeting […]
November 13 2025
The latest proposed ban relating to the advertising of alcohol
On 8 September 2025, a private members Bill was introduced in Parliament, proposing an amendment to the existing Liquor Act. The Liquor Amendment Bill [B21-2025] provides for a comprehensive and total ban on the advertising of alcohol, including the sponsorship of social events by alcohol brands. While plain packaging does not appear to be on […]
November 13 2025
Recognition of agricultural products and textiles as geographical indicators of origin
Geographical indications of origin are gaining recognition and importance in Africa. While Seychelles in the final stages of registered Seychelles honey as a geographical indication of origin, earlier this year, the OAPI granted Guinea’s bid to protect Café Ziama Macenta, a type of coffee grown around Mount Ziama, located in the Guinea Forest region. In […]
November 13 2025