News & Insights
Morocco Launches Electronic Companies Platform
Morocco has effectively rolled out a national electronic platform that offers a single interface for local company creation and procedures. The platform was first tested in Rabat in February 2023, then moved to other important cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier in 2024. Today, it is accessible all over the country. More than 2,400 experts […]
April 15 2025
Processing of New Trade Mark Applications Suspended
Due to a backlog of trade mark applications at the Libyan Trade Mark Office, the Libyan Ministry of Economy has temporarily suspended the acceptance and processing of all new trade mark applications. This suspension will be in place from 5 March 2025 until 10 April 2025. Although the acceptance of new trade mark applications has […]
April 15 2025
Traditional Guinea Leppi Fabric Now Officially Recognised as a PGI
Leppi fabric dyed using local plants is the traditional fabric of the Foutah Djallon region in Guinea. Its PGI designation, recently granted by OAPI, safeguards the fabric from misuse including counterfeiting, and protects and promotes it on global markets because of reciprocal arrangements with other countries on the protection of PGIs, ensuring that its authenticity […]
April 15 2025
Gambia Intellectual Property Office Modernises Trade Mark Registration System
The Gambia Industrial Property Office, with the help of World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Madrid Division, has successful integrated a new registration certificate template into its web-based IPAS 4.0 system. With the addition of a QR code and crucial information about the Madrid System, this updated certificate enables customers to quickly obtain information on how […]
April 15 2025
EIPA Hosts Pivotal Conference on the PCT
On 14 March 2025, EIPA hosted a pivotal conference on the PCT in Bishoftu. The conference brought together key stakeholders from government and non-government sectors. EIPA underscored its commitment to becoming a signatory to the PCT and has identified this initiative as its next major undertaking. With Ethiopia’s plans to join the World Trade Organization […]
April 15 2025
Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) has been established
In line with Ministerial Decree No. 493/2025 the newly established Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) EGIPA, located at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, seeks to streamline all IP-related services under a single organisation with the consolidation of several offices, including those in charge of: Patents Trademarks and Industrial Designs Copyrights Administrations Plants Variety […]
April 15 2025
Adams & Adams awarded Africa Firm of the Year by Managing IP
11 April 2025 – Adams & Adams has been recognised as Africa Firm of the Year at the annual Managing Intellectual Property (IP) Awards for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), which took place on 10 April at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. The firm also received the distinction of South Africa Patent […]
April 11 2025
High Court Confirms In Duplum Rule Applies to Pension Fund Contributions
In a decision handed down by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Blue Crane Route Municipality v Municipal Workers Retirement Fund and Another, the Court affirmed that the in duplum rule applies equally to statutory interest owed under the Pension Funds Act (“PFA”). The judgment reinforces the principle that the accumulation of […]
April 09 2025
Policyholder vs. Insurer: A Legal Showdown Over a Repudiated Claim
Facts of the Case On 12 April 2021, the policyholder, Mr Mavela, was involved in a motor vehicle collision on the R26 road between Hobhouse and Wepener in the Free State Province. His Toyota Fortuner was damaged beyond economical repair. The policyholder, who was comprehensively insured by the insurer, filed a claim for compensation. The […]
April 09 2025
Broken Windows, Unbroken Law: Lessons in Proving Negligence and Duty of Care
Facts: On 10 February 2021, the Plaintiff was injured by a falling glass window while walking on the pavement in front of the Defendant’s premises, in Johannesburg. The glass window fell from the Defendant’s building, causing a significant cut on the Plaintiff’s left forearm, necessitating immediate medical treatment. The Plaintiff did not initially report the […]
April 02 2025
Running into Liability: The Legal Duty of Care in Running Events
Introduction South Africa boasts a vibrant running culture, with a wide array of organised races held throughout the year. The organisation of these events varies significantly; some races ensure that runners are shielded from spectators and the public, while others allow for potential interaction between runners and the public. The recent Supreme Court of Appeal […]
April 01 2025
The Limits of PFA’s Authority in Pension Fund Transfers
On 25 March 2025, the Financial Services Tribunal handed down a crucial decision in Auto Workers Provident Fund v Thulani Nyalungu & Others, providing essential guidance on the extent of the Pension Funds Adjudicator’s (“PFA”) authority when handling member complaints concerning pension fund transfers. The ruling emphasises the importance of adhering to pension fund rules […]
March 28 2025
The Unseen Shield: Foreseeability of Damages in Delictual Claims
Introduction In the realm of delictual claims, the concept of foreseeability of damages is both fundamental and frequently underestimated. Plaintiffs often focus on the harm suffered and the apparent negligence of the defendant, but delictual liability requires a more nuanced assessment—particularly of whether the harm was reasonably foreseeable. Foreseeability plays a pivotal role in evaluating […]
March 25 2025
Malawi Parliament to Debate Two Key IP Legislative Bills
Two executive-legislative bills have been gazetted for debate in Parliament during the current sitting. The bills focus on reforms to company and copyright laws. The Companies, Registrations, and Intellectual Property Centre Bill, 2025 proposes the establishment of a semi-autonomous body responsible for company registrations, intellectual property rights and related functions. The new entity will assume […]
March 19 2025
Nigeria’s Battle Against Counterfeit Goods Intensifies
The ongoing fight against counterfeit goods in Nigeria has become a pressing issue, with the House of Representatives urging the government to declare a state of emergency in response to the growing prevalence of fake products. The effects of counterfeiting are far-reaching, particularly in the health, safety, and economic sectors, with counterfeit medicines posing a […]
March 19 2025
President Ramaphosa Approves Plant Health Bill
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Plant Health Bill into law, introducing measures to tackle the issue of plant pests that threaten domestic agriculture and could affect South Africa’s agricultural exports. According to a statement from the Presidency, the new legislation replaces the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983, which previously governed the national plant health […]
March 19 2025
Nigeria Set to Achieve Full Membership in UPOV, Boosting Agricultural Innovation and Protection
Nigeria is close to securing full membership in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), according to Dr. Ishiaku Khalid, Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC). Speaking at the 2025 Boot Camp on Plant Variety Protection (PVP) for Agricultural Development, Khalid confirmed that Nigeria is making […]
March 19 2025
Shaping the Future of Kenya's IP Landscape: The Third Effort to Finalize a National IP Policy and Strategy
Kenya is working towards finalizing its third attempt at establishing a National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), following consultations with key stakeholders. The policy aims to address challenges in Kenya’s IP landscape and aligns with WIPO’s methodology for national IP policies. The 2024 NIPPS focuses on key sectors like agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals and the […]
March 19 2025