News & Insights
Ministry directives tackle illicit alcohol and psychotropic substances
The Ministry of Interior in Kenya issued directives on 6 March 2024, under the Preservation of Public Security Act to combat the production and sale of illicit alcohol and psychotropic substances abuse. These directives impact various stakeholders including manufacturers, distributors, and regulators like the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), The […]
April 12 2024
Madrid e-filing now possible in The Gambia
The Gambia has recently signed up for WIPO’s Madrid e-filing service. The first online application for an international trade mark was filed from the Registrar General’s Department just hours after the service was launched. This marks an important milestone as The Gambia it is the first Madrid System Member in the Africa region to use […]
April 12 2024
WIPO engages with the President on the importance of IP
The Director General of WIPO and the President of Botswana met in Gaborone to identifying ways in which WIPO can support and assist Botswana in cultivating its innovation ecosystem. President Mokgweetsi Masisi emphasized the importance of intellectual property and innovation for his country’s economic transformation. WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted the need for a […]
April 12 2024
The Double-Edged Sword of “Without Prejudice” Offers
A judgment stemming from the High Court of South Africa, Limpopo Division, Polokwane serves as a timely reminder that a “without prejudice” offer, if not drafted or approached properly, can interrupt the prescription of a claim. Facts of the case The plaintiff instituted action against the defendant for the injuries she suffered from a helicopter […]
April 11 2024
Judicial Reminder: The Ethical Obligation and Fiduciary Duty of Plaintiff Attorneys to Discourage Baseless Legal Actions
Attorneys representing plaintiffs should take note of a judgement recently handed down in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg. Two unemployed plaintiffs instituted action against the Minister of Police, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, each claiming R5,000,000.00 for their alleged unlawful arrest and malicious […]
April 08 2024
LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OF KEEPING A RECORD OF ADVICE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Financial Advisory and Intermediaries Services Act (“the Act”) defines a Financial Service Provider (“provider”) as any person who, in the ordinary course of business, provides advice; provides advice and renders any intermediary service; or renders any intermediary service. The definition specifically excludes “representatives.” Providers play a vital role in furnishing advice to potential and […]
April 08 2024
Adams & Adams reveals refreshed brand to 'Realise African Enterprise'
Pretoria, South Africa, 4 April 2024 – Leading African law firm Adams & Adams has announced the launch of its refreshed brand identity. The rebranding reflects the firm’s evolution, embodying its commitment to fostering enterprise in Africa. “At Adams & Adams, we provide unparalleled legal services in intellectual property; as well as in corporate and […]
April 04 2024
When Time Runs Out: A Court's Take on the Timely Assessment of Insurance Claims
Policyholders and insurers alike should take note of a judgement recently handed down in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg. The case concerned a claim for specific performance in terms of a life insurance policy. The policyholder lodged a claim with his insurer through its authorised agent on or about 27 September […]
April 02 2024
The Legal Industry Review, South Africa Edition - Volume 5.
The Legal Industry Reviews South Africa Vol.5
March 22 2024
HOSTILE TAKEOVERS AND MERGER FILING REQUIREMENTS – THE END OF THE TARGET FIRM’S ABILITY TO EMPLOY DILATORY TACTICS?
On 5 January 2024, the Competition Commission (“the Commission”) published draft guidelines on the filing of merger notifications for hostile transactions (“the Draft Guidelines”). The Commission identified a need for a document setting out its approach in such transactions as hostile takeovers, by their very nature, are often adversarial and lack the normal cooperation between […]
March 12 2024
Two-day Training Workshop on Copyright Management Best Practices
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), convened a comprehensive two-day training seminar on ‘collective management operations and licensing practices’ on 8 and 9 February 2024. This hybrid event brought together a diverse array of participants including musicians, authors, publishers, producers, comedians, academia, and collective management organizations. […]
March 12 2024
Increase in publication fees
Following a stakeholder engagement meeting with the USRB and the Ugandan Government Printer (responsible for publishing trade mark applications under the new Trade Mark Regulations), the trade mark publication fees have been increased from USD80 to USD100 with immediate effect. This fee, however, may vary according to the length of the specification of goods/services. Typesetting […]
March 12 2024
Temporary Trade Marks Office Now Accepting New Applications
After almost a year of disruption due to civil unrest, the Sudan Trade marks Office resumed operations on 11 February 2024. The office has also temporarily relocated to the coastal town of Port Sudan (previously located in Khartoum). The Trade Marks Office has started receiving applications for trade mark registrations, renewals, and recordals. All procedures […]
March 12 2024
Enhancing Integration of Intellectual Property Rights and Broadening Pharmaceutical Research
On Friday, February 2, 2024, Mr. Denis BOHOUSSOU, Director General of OAPI, welcomed a delegation from the Heads of the “Health and Globalization, Standards, Policies, Market” Chair at the University of Yaoundé II. As part of OAPI’s initiatives to foster an IP-driven economy and focus on research, innovation, and development, collaboration between relevant institutions is […]
March 12 2024
Government Initiates Measures to Enhance Economy via Foreign Direct Investment
Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the Nigerian economy through the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ This agenda aims to foster economic growth, attract foreign direct investment, and promote the production of goods and services for both local consumption and export. […]
March 12 2024
Booksellers, Printers and Publishers to Undergo Profiling by NCC
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to combatting book piracy through proper record keeping and profiling of booksellers, printers, and publishers. Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of NCC, highlighted the fact that the new Copyright Act empowers the commission to attach the illegal proceeds of individuals involved in book piracy. He stressed […]
March 12 2024
Further updates to trade mark prosecution requirements
On 14 February 2024, the Libyan Office of the Ministry of Economy issued guidance number 694,3.2.5 updating the requirements relating to the filing of trade mark applications in this territory. This comes subsequent to the Ministry issuing Resolution No 26 of 2024 (Changes at the Libyan Trade Marks Office and the new Executive Regulations no. […]
March 12 2024
Introduction of the Ministry of Economy and Trade's Supervised Electronic Advertising System for Trade Marks
Thursday, 1 February 2024, saw the Ministry of Economy and Trade introducing its electronic advertising system for trade marks. Senior officials from the Ministry, the technical team overseeing the system’s implementation, and numerous owners of intellectual property companies attended the event. The event commenced with the advertisements of over 6,000 local and foreign trade mark […]
March 12 2024