News & Insights
POV: GOING GREEN? A TRADE MARK PERSPECTIVE
Terms like “green,” “sustainable,” and “eco-friendly” are powerful marketing tools that companies use to captivate environmentally conscious consumers. These trade marks can colloquially be referred to as “green” trade marks. While “green” trade marks offer exciting opportunities for savvy businesses, they also come with hidden risks. LAUDATORY TERMS Laudatory terms express praise. Phrases like “eco-friendly” […]
June 09 2025
London High Court Decision Highlights Broker Duties and the Reach of "Other Insurance" Clauses
A recent High Court judgement in London has sent a strong message to insurance brokers about the consequences of failing to provide comprehensive advice, while also offering new guidance on how overlapping insurance policies interact. The case, involving a leading insurance broker and a community housing trust (“the trust”), is likely to have a lasting […]
June 04 2025
A Timely Reminder for Employers: Compliance with Pension Funds Act is Non-negotiable
The recent decision in PRSS Solution (Pty) Ltd v M G Marara and Others by the Financial Services Tribunal (the Tribunal) underscores the crucial responsibility of employers to comply with their obligations under the Pension Funds Act (the Act). In particular, this includes registering employees with a pension fund and notifying the fund upon their […]
June 03 2025
Credit Insurance Under Scrutiny: Court Enforces Fairness in Lending Practices
Introduction The recent judgment in the matter between the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and the credit lender company (the respondent) marks a significant development in the regulation of credit insurance practices in South Africa. The case scrutinised the legality and fairness of bundled credit insurance products sold to vulnerable consumers, including pensioners and disabled persons, […]
June 02 2025
Who’s Covered to Drive? The Hidden Risks in Car Insurance
Car insurance policies are often assumed to provide blanket protection for any incident involving the insured vehicle. Many policyholders overlook how their insurer defines who else may legally and validly drive the insured vehicle. These definitions — and their often-overlooked nuances — can have major consequences when a claim arises. The recent US case of […]
May 30 2025
Mauritius joins ARIPO Protocol for Patents, Designs and Utility Models
On 27 May 2025, the Republic of Mauritius deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models, and Industrial Designs becoming the 21st ARIPO Member State. Mauritius becomes the twenty first ARIPO Member State and with effect from 27 August 2025 it will be possible to designate up to 21 countries […]
May 29 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