News & Insights
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Earlier this year, Namibia introduced the Corporate Law Reform Bill, which seeks to overhaul and modernise outdated statutory instruments.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 This also applies to PBR’s granted under the repealed 1976 act.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
DAWN RAIDS: WHEN THE COMPETITION COMMISSION COMES KNOCKING
It has been more than three years since the Competition Commission’s (“Commission”) last large-scale dawn raid, when it executed search-and-seizure operations at eight insurance firms across South Africa. That raid was a stark reminder that all businesses must ensure robust compliance with the Competition Act. Understanding the procedure, the Commission’s powers, and your rights when […]
November 11 2025
Misconduct without dishonesty? Tribunal clarifies the scope of Section 37D of the Pension Funds Act
A recent decision by the Financial Services Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has revisited an old but recurring question under the Pension Funds Act (“the Act”): can an employer rely on Section 37D(1)(b)(ii)(bb) to recover losses from an employee’s pension benefit where the employee’s conduct was grossly negligent, but not dishonest? The case arose from an incident at […]
November 04 2025
SA Patent Reform Underway: A Call for Balanced, Modern IP Laws
South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) has made a formal submission in response to the government’s planned reforms of the Patents Act and Designs Act. The submission welcomes the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the CIPC’s consultative approach and argues for a balanced, internationally aligned framework that strengthens patent […]
October 28 2025
Regional and International Trade Mark Filing Systems in Africa: A Cautionary Tale from Tanzania
In a significant ruling, the Tanzanian Court of Appeal—the highest court for both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar—held that trade marks registered through ARIPO are unenforceable in Tanzania. The Lakairo Case In Lakairo Industries Group Co. Limited v. Kenafrica Industries Limited (Civil Appeal No. 593 of 2022), the Court ruled on trade mark infringement claims […]
October 28 2025
Regulatory Update: Court suspends new Ministry oversight measures affecting IP processes in Kenya
The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry in Kenya recently issued a directive to the Managing Director of the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), which provided that no trade marks, patents, or industrial designs are to be registered, renewed, or revoked without prior approval of the KIPI Board. The directive followed concerns that the KIPI […]
October 24 2025
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