News & Insights
Nigerian Commission on Copyright seals printing houses and seizes books in Ibadan
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has raided areas of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in Nigeria, with certain printing houses being sealed and books being seized, in an effort to fight piracy. According to the Director-General of the Commission, Dr John Asein, the affected printing houses and bookshops lacked proper records of created works received […]
August 20 2025
Policy Wording Matters: US Electromagnetic Field Ruling Offers Cautionary Tale for South Africa
A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in the matter between Hammond Power Solutions Inc. v. National Union Fire Insurance Co. (2025), provides important guidance on the interpretation of exclusions in commercial general liability (CGL) policies—particularly those relating to radiation. The ruling confirms that a broadly worded exclusion […]
August 19 2025
Pharma giants clash over 'BUCOD' names as court keeps ban in place
Aspen wins round two in trade mark battle, forcing rival Adcock to stay off shelves during appeal Pretoria High Court, 18 August 2025 The pharmaceutical industry’s latest trade mark war escalated yesterday, 18 August 2025 as Aspen Pharmacare successfully convinced the Pretoria High Court to keep competitor Adcock Ingram’s LENBUCOD product banned from the market—even […]
August 19 2025
Procedural Fairness in Debarment Proceedings: Lessons from G Van Zyl v Kobie Spangenberg en Genote (Pty) Ltd
The recent decision in Gideon Pieter van Zyl v Kobie Spangenberg en Genote (Pty) Ltd by the Financial Services Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) highlights the critical importance of compliance with the procedural safeguards under section 14 of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 (“FAIS Act”) when effecting a debarment. The case underscores […]
August 19 2025
Zanzibar IP Office announces increased fees
The Zanzibar Industrial Property Office (ZIPO) has officially announced increased fees affecting various intellectual property matters, including trade marks and patents. These revisions were published under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (Fees and Charges) Regulations, per Government Gazette Vol. CXXXIV No. 7369 dated 18 July 2025. The revised fees, which represent a substantial […]
August 19 2025
Veggie burgers are back on the menu!
In a first for South Africa, the Government Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) published, on 18 July 2025, R6436/2025, the Regulations Relating to Meat Analogues for Sale in South Africa. Prior to these Regulations, the plant-based protein industry in this country was in turmoil, due to uncertainty regarding the labelling and […]
August 19 2025
Uganda ratifies the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has issued a notification that the Government of the Republic of Uganda has deposited its instrument of ratification of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK). The GRATK Treaty was adopted in Geneva on 24 May 2024. It establishes […]
August 19 2025
OAPI goes to Geneva - Director General extols benefits of GI’s and seeks collaboration with international counterparts
In July, a delegation from the OAPI Office attended the 66th series of annual meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Office in Geneva. The OAPI delegation was led by its Director General, Mr Denis L. Bohoussou, and participated in various events. OAPI Director-General speaks of benefits of Geographical […]
August 19 2025
Namibia now leads Africa Group in negotiations for formulating norms for copyright limitations and exceptions
The Namibian Ambassador to Switzerland, Julia Imene-Chanduru, addressed the 66th series of annual meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO), calling for the adoption of an international legal instrument on limitations and exceptions to copyright for libraries, research, museums, educational institutions and archives. Namibia now leads African […]
August 19 2025
Conference hosted in Gabon on artificial intelligence and intellectual property
The Gabonese Industrial Property Office, in collaboration with the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI), organised a conference on artificial intelligence and intellectual property. Philippe Rodhain, an international expert in intellectual property, spoke at the conference and highlighted both the benefits and dangers of AI. The benefits he identified included the facilitation of creativity amongst artists, […]
August 19 2025
Collaboration between OAPI and the Japanese Patent Office
In parallel with events of the 66th series of annual meetings of the World Intellectual Property Office in Geneva, the Director General of OAPI also met with Yasuada Futoshi, the Deputy Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). They affirmed the good results that have so far been achieved by the collaboration between OAPI and […]
August 19 2025
ARIPO and OAPI Host Strategic Ambassadors’ Luncheon in Geneva
ARIPO and OAPI co-hosted a luncheon for African Ambassadors and for other international organizations on 11 July 2025. The luncheon was held in Geneva on the sidelines of the 66th series of annual meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) in Geneva. The luncheon was attended by […]
August 19 2025
ARIPO and BRELA hold IP asset management workshop for Tanzanian SME’s
ARIPO and the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) of Tanzania recently held a workshop on intellectual property asset management for Tanzanian small and medium enterprises in Dar es Salaam. In his opening remarks, Mr. Godfrey Simango Nyaisa, CEO of BRELA, welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude for ARIPO’s ongoing support in strengthening IP systems […]
August 19 2025
Specsavers (Pty) Ltd v Strategic Ideal Holdings (Pty) Ltd
On 27 March 2025, the High Court of Botswana (in Lobatse) presided over by Judge Busang, delivered a significant judgment in the matter between Specsavers (Pty) Ltd (hereafter Specsavers Botswana) and Strategic Ideal Holdings (Pty) Ltd, the licensee of Spec-Savers South Africa. Specsavers Botswana alleged that Strategic Ideal Holdings was passing off through the use of the trade […]
August 14 2025
Mutsila v Municipal Gratuity Fund: Adequate Investigations and Death Benefit Allocations under Section 37C
On 8 August 2025, the Constitutional Court handed down its unanimous judgment in Mutsila v Municipal Gratuity Fund and Others, a case that brought into sharp focus the obligations of pension and retirement funds when allocating death benefits under Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act (“the Act”). At its heart was a dispute over […]
August 14 2025
Not Every Regulatory Knock Is a Claim: US D&O Lessons for South African Boards
Directors’ and officers’ liability (D&O) insurance is a critical risk management tool for companies and their leadership, providing protection against claims arising from alleged wrongful acts in the management of the company. However, the scope of coverage under such policies is often the subject of dispute, particularly when regulatory investigations are involved. A recent decision […]
August 12 2025
Respecting the Lens: Copyright Infringement and the Rights of Photographers in South Africa
In the digital age, photographs are shared, reposted, and embedded across websites with ease. Yet behind every image lies a creator, a photographer who has invested time, skill, and resources to produce a work of art. When these photographs are used without permission, it constitutes copyright infringement under South African law, and the consequences can […]
August 12 2025
Rules of Evidence: Prove It or Lose It: Admissibility and the Truth Behind Trial Bundles
Factual Background The High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Local Division, Durban, recently delivered judgment in a dispute concerning the supply of liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The Plaintiff, a supplier of LPG, had provided the product to the First Defendant over several years. Following a breakdown in the business relationship, the Plaintiff instituted action to […]
August 11 2025