News & Insights
Pre-Export Certificate of Conformity required for certain unregulated goods imported from China
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa published a Ministerial Directive in March 2026 on the ‘Implementation of a pre-export verification of conformity programme for certain unregulated products imported from the People’s Republic of China’. The programme requires that, from September 2026, certain Chinese imports be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity […]
June 17 2026
Plant Variety Protection in the spotlight at PVP symposium in Lesotho
Can Plant Variety Protection (PVP) be a catalyst for food security and sustainable agriculture in Africa? ARIPO, together with various stakeholders, including plant breeders, academics and legal experts, explored this question at a symposium held in Lesotho from 20 to 21 May 2026. The broad theme of the meeting was ‘Nurturing Agricultural Innovation: Advancing the […]
June 17 2026
Adams & Adams Maputo (Mozambique) hosts ARIPO officials
On 21 May 2026, Adams & Adams hosted a delegation from ARIPO and the Mozambique Intellectual Property Institute (IPI) at our offices in Maputo. The visit followed the participation of Adams & Adams Mozambique in the ARIPO Online Services Awareness Workshop, held as part of ARIPO’s official mission in Mozambique, between 19 and 21 May […]
June 17 2026
IP Awards 2026
On 30 April 2026, our flagship office in Mozambique, which was established in 2008, participated as the primary sponsor in the fifth edition of the Mozambique IP Awards. The event was held under the auspices of the Mozambique Institute of Industrial Property (IPI) and took place at the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) campus in Maputo. […]
June 17 2026
Trade Marks, Trust and the GLP-1 Surge
The surge in demand for GLP-1 and GIP medicines—particularly those containing semaglutide and tirzepatide—has created significant commercial opportunity. It has also exposed a growing problem: the manufacture and sale of unregistered and potentially unlawful alternatives. Recent enforcement action by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) highlights the scale of the issue, particularly in […]
June 12 2026
Click Wars: How South African Courts Have Weighed In on Google Ads and Trade Mark Battles
Introduction In today’s digital marketplace, the battle for consumer attention is fought not only on store shelves but also on search engines. With Google Ads enabling businesses to bid on competitors’ trade marks as keywords, an important question arises: does this constitute legitimate competition or unlawful exploitation? Industry estimates suggest that Google processes approximately 16.4 […]
June 11 2026
World Cup Marketing: A Practical Legal Guide for Brands
Only a few global events capture public attention like the FIFA World CupTM. For brands, such events present a unique opportunity to engage audiences, build visibility, and connect with consumers through the universal appeal of football. At the same time, the World Cup operates within one of the most tightly controlled commercial frameworks in sport. […]
June 10 2026
Standing Out from the Crowd: Distinctiveness in South African Trade Mark Law
The concept of distinctiveness is a central and often contested feature of trade mark law. As with many provisions within intellectual property frameworks, the statutory requirements relating to distinctiveness have necessitated further judicial interpretation. This article examines how distinctiveness is addressed in the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993 (the “Act”) and considers key cases […]
June 09 2026
Knowledge, notice and cancellation: crucial lessons from Dimension Church (US judgment)
Introduction The recent decision in Dimension Church v. Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. offers a instructive reminder of the exacting standards that apply when an insurer seeks to cancel a policy for non-payment of premiums. At its core, the judgment turned on a deceptively simple question: did the insurer send its cancellation notice to the […]
June 08 2026
Newsflash: FCC’s approach to recordation based on international and/or foreign trademark registrations
The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) in Tanzania has clarified that trade mark recordal applications supported by foreign, international, or ARIPO registrations will not be accepted. While the wording of the relevant regulation previously suggested, that foreign trade mark registrations could be relied upon, trade mark recordals must be based exclusively on valid Tanzanian national registrations. […]
June 05 2026
Bitcoin, Barter and the Blockchain: A Critical Reading of Mangundhla v South African Reserve Bank
A Gauteng High Court judgment handed down on 1 June 2026 concludes that Bitcoin is both “capital” and “money” under South Africa’s Exchange Control Regulations. The capital finding is defensible. The money finding is not. And the court’s treatment of what “export” actually means on a distributed ledger leaves the most difficult question unanswered. Case […]
June 03 2026
Proof that even IP lawyers need IP lawyers
This week we were reminded of just how easily trade mark infringement can occur online. This time, somewhat ironically, it was our own brand that needed protecting. When searching for Adams & Adams, another IP firm appeared in the sponsored Google results. That, in itself, is not unusual. As the largest IP firm in our […]
June 01 2026
Civil Law Update Seminar 2026
Key Developments Affecting Civil Litigation in Gauteng Discussions at the Civil Law Update Seminar held on 22 May 2026, hosted by the Pretoria Attorneys Association, provided important insight into the continued implementation of the Gauteng Division’s mandatory mediation framework and court operations affecting civil litigation in the division. The mediation directive has significantly reduced congestion […]
June 01 2026
EGIPA Introduces Increased Official Fees
Egypt implements increased official trademark fees Important Topics EGIPA INTRODUCES INCREASED OFFICIAL FEES The Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) has implemented increased official fees and additional service charges for trade mark related procedures under Decisions Nos. 64 and 65 of 2026. Effective from 5 March 2026, the changes apply to services administered by the Trade […]
May 27 2026
Zambia Publishes Long Awaited Patent Regulations
Zambia strengthens its patent framework with new regulations Important Topics ZAMBIA PUBLISHES LONG AWAITED PATENT REGULATIONS Zambia has recently published the long-awaited Regulations under The Patents Act, 2016 (Act No. 40 of 2016), introducing procedural and administrative updates aimed at modernising the country’s intellectual property framework. Previously, the new Act (2016) was read together with […]
May 27 2026
Uganda Passes Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill
Uganda advances copyright reform with stronger protections for creators and rights holders Important Topics UGANDA PASSES COPYRIGHT AND NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS AMENDMENT BILL Uganda’s Parliament has passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, modernising the country’s copyright framework to address digital developments and strengthen protection for creators and neighbouring rights holders. Approved in March […]
May 27 2026
Tunisia Strengthens its Role in AFCTA and OAPI Integration
Tunisia pushes for deeper AfCFTA integration and OAPI alignment Important Topics TUNISIA STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE IN AFCFTA AND OAPI INTEGRATION At the 9th Extraordinary Meeting of COMESA Trade Ministers on 2 April 2026, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, called for the accelerated signing and ratification of the OAPI agreement, proposing that […]
May 27 2026
Authorities Seize Counterfeit Goods Worth Millions
South Africa intensifies enforcement against counterfeit trade Additional Topics: AUTHORITIES SEIZE COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH MILLIONS South African authorities seized counterfeit goods worth over R5 million (approximately USD 303,500) during a two day enforcement operation in April 2026 in Bloemfontein’s central business district, confiscating more than 6,000 items including clothing, accessories, pharmaceuticals and other consumables. The […]
May 27 2026