News & Insights
Law vs Technology: the JHB High Court on virtual commissioning in a digital era
The JHB High Court recently delivered a significant case pertaining to virtual commissioning. This case presented a significant legal question regarding the validity of affidavits commissioned virtually, particularly when the deponent is located outside the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and the Commissioner of Oaths is within the RSA. The central issue was whether such […]
October 23 2025
Jurisdiction drawn at the line: Tribunal confirms limits of the Pension Funds Authority
A recent decision of the Financial Services Tribunal underscores a crucial distinction in pension law — the jurisdictional boundary between approved and unapproved benefits. The ruling confirms that the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) has no authority to investigate complaints arising from employer-held, unapproved disability policies, even when such benefits are linked to a registered fund. […]
October 21 2025
Beyond the entity: Canadian court extends liability to Franchise principals
Facts In 2022, the Plaintiff sought to invest in a Sharetea franchise in Alberta. The Defendant was the master franchisee for Sharetea in Alberta, operated and controlled by an individual. The Defendant provided the Plaintiff with promotional materials and revenue figures for existing Sharetea locations, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September 2022. […]
October 20 2025
Copyright 101: Understanding the Basics
Copyright is one of the most fundamental – yet often misunderstood – areas of intellectual property law. At its core, copyright protects the expression of original ideas, giving creators the exclusive right to control how their works are used, reproduced, and shared. From music, books, and films to software, photographs, and online content, copyright touches […]
October 16 2025
South Africa Prepares Major Patent and Design Law Reforms
South Africa is on the cusp of significant intellectual property law reform, with a new Patent Bill and Design Amendment Bill expected to be presented to the South African parliament in early 2026. The Department of Trade and Industry, together with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), recently hosted a stakeholder workshop on 23 […]
October 15 2025
Patent landscape: South Africa leads Africa; Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria in top five
The latest data on African patent activity for 2025 reveals South Africa as the continent’s clear leader, with 11,267 patents granted and 13,990 patent applications filed, underpinned by a robust research ecosystem, advanced legal frameworks, and a diverse industrial base. Nigeria follows with 1,081 granted patents and 1,104 applications, reflecting a dynamic innovation environment, particularly […]
October 15 2025
South Africa Launches National Action Plan Against Fake Medicines
South Africa has launched Africa’s first comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) to combat substandard and falsified medical products, positioning the country as a continental leader in the fight against substandard and counterfeit medicines. Announced by Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, the NAP was developed by the South African Department of Health, South Africa’s medical regulatory […]
October 15 2025
OAPI doubles down on human capital: 20 years of APIDE and GI auditor training
The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Denis Ekani Intellectual Property Academy (APIDE) with an international symposium in Yaoundé, coinciding with the 26th African Technology and Intellectual Property Day. APIDE has become a continental center of excellence, offering advanced training in intellectual property through a range of programs, including a […]
October 15 2025
OAPI certifies “Malisogo” label to boost Malian meat exports
The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has officially certified the “Malisogo” label for all meat exported from Mali, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to enhance the value, traceability, and marketability of its agricultural exports. The Malisogo label guarantees the origin and quality of Malian meat, providing assurance to international buyers and consumers […]
October 15 2025
Nigeria sharpens copyright enforcement with asset-recovery powers
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has been designated a “relevant organization” under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to copyright enforcement. This new status empowers the NCC not only to prosecute copyright offences but also to trace, freeze, seize, manage, and confiscate assets and […]
October 15 2025
Morocco and South Africa scale hydrogen R&D to grow local IP and industry
South Africa and Morocco are stepping up their investments in hydrogen research and development, aiming to position themselves as leaders in the emerging hydrogen economy. South Africa’s Vaal University of Technology recently opened a Center of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy, supported by Standard Bank, as part of the country’s long-term Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) strategy. […]
October 15 2025
Lesotho deepens IP reforms with ARIPO, targets key protocol ratifications
Lesotho is accelerating its intellectual property (IP) reforms through a high-level engagement with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO). In September 2025, the country’s Minister of Law and Justice led an official delegation to ARIPO’s Secretariat in Harare, Zimbabwe, to discuss strengthening Lesotho’s legal and institutional IP framework. The visit underscored Lesotho’s commitment to […]
October 15 2025
Côte d’Ivoire adopts a national IP strategy to power competitiveness
Côte d’Ivoire has taken a major step to strengthen its innovation ecosystem by adopting a comprehensive National Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy, approved at a workshop in Abidjan in August 2025. The IP strategy is structured around six key pillars: legislative reform, institutional capacity building, education and public awareness, anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures, protection and promotion […]
October 15 2025
ARIPO’s Kampala seminar advances audiovisual rights and treaty uptake
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), in partnership with WIPO, Fundación AISGE, the Global Audio-visual Alliance (GAVA), and Uganda’s Registration Services Bureau (URSB), hosted the 4th African Regional Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights in the Audiovisual Sector in Kampala from 10–11 September 2025. The event brought together representatives from collective management organizations, national […]
October 15 2025
No Pay, No Indemnity: Assignment-Only Settlement Does Not Trigger Coverage
In ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co. v. Pergament, an Illinois appellate court reaffirmed a core principle of professional liability insurance: indemnity is not triggered unless the insured becomes legally obligated to pay damages. The court held that where a doctor assigned his policy rights to a claimant but was expressly relieved of any payment obligation, the […]
October 15 2025
Network disruptions across the country
We were informed by our colleagues in Cameroon that their presidential elections took place on 12 October 2025. Since the elections there have been serious network disruptions across the country. This is expected to continue until the results are published, which may take as long as two weeks. Please therefore expect delays in communications regarding […]
October 14 2025
Urgent Newsflash: Operational Disruptions in Madagascar Due to Nationwide Strikes
Due to ongoing nationwide strikes and protests across Madagascar, including significant disruptions in Antananarivo, our operations are currently impacted. Daily clashes between demonstrators and authorities have led to road blockages, limited public transport, and safety concerns near our local associates’ office. The Registry is operating on limited hours and only when it is deemed safe […]
October 06 2025
INDIAN CASE SPOTLIGHTS HOW DOCTORS’ HANDWRITING CAN BECOME A LEGAL LIABILITY
Introduction In a widely shared judgment delivered on August 27, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in India, addressed a critical yet often overlooked issue in the Indian healthcare system—doctors’ handwriting. Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, while presiding over a bail hearing in a criminal case involving allegations of rape, cheating, and forgery, encountered a […]
October 03 2025