News & Insights
TECHNICAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE ONLINE PATENT FILING SYSTEM RESOLVED
The online platform at the Egyptian Patent Office which malfunctioned and had been offline since Saturday, 3 February 2024, has been restored. The Patent Office has issued an official communication advising users that as of 11 February 2024, the online platform is fully operational again and that all deadlines for submitting applications, documents, and responses […]
February 09 2024
Zambia passes new Trade Marks Act (Act No. 11 of 2023)
A new Trade Marks Act has been passed in Zambia! This signals a significant modernization effort, introducing provisions for “non-traditional” marks, multiclass applications, and alignment with international frameworks such as the Madrid Protocol. Zambia passes new Trade Marks Act (Act No. 11 of 2023) As the Zambian economy continues to grow, the country has supplanted […]
February 08 2024
Key amendments proposed to Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006 in Uganda
On 13 December 2023, a pivotal stakeholder validation meeting at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau discussed the outcomes of consultations, principles, and the draft Bill aimed at amending the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006. Recognizing the evolving landscape of technology and emerging practices, the proposed amendments seek to address several crucial aspects not addressed […]
February 08 2024
Qualcomm and Adams and Adams Launch Free Online IP Training for African Innovators
Qualcomm Incorporated in collaboration with Adams and Adams has launched the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform, a free online training tool. Qualcomm and Adams and Adams Launch Free Online IP Training for African Innovators Qualcomm Incorporated has launched the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform, a free online training program developed in collaboration with Adams and […]
February 08 2024
OAPI and AfrIPI strategize content exploitation during workshop in Cameroon
Cameroon recently hosted a regional workshop for the advancement of cultural content exploitation strategies in OAPI member states. OAPI and AfrIPI strategize content exploitation during workshop in Cameroon A three-day workshop held in Douala, Cameroon, from 18-20 December 2023, facilitated by OAPI and the Intellectual Property Rights for Africa (AfrIPI) project, focused on harmonizing strategies […]
February 08 2024
Insights from the 63rd OAPI Administrative Council Session in Burkina Faso
The 63rd OAPI Administrative Council Session was recently held in Burkina Faso, where 17 ministers from member states gathered to review OAPI’s performance, financial matters, and plans for fostering innovation and intellectual property. Insights from the 63rd OAPI Administrative Council Session in Burkina Faso The 63rd session of the OAPI Administrative Council was held on […]
February 08 2024
IPLAN debate sheds light on Nigeria's potential adoption of the Madrid system
IPLAN’s recent debate explores Nigeria’s potential adoption of the Madrid trade mark registration system. IPLAN debate sheds light on Nigeria’s potential adoption of the Madrid system On 14 December 2023, the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) organized a debate entitled “The Madrid International Trademark Registration System: Nigeria to Join or Not”. This debate […]
February 08 2024
Unexpected changes to Mozambique's official fees
The recent unexpected publication of new official fees in Mozambique, effective from 26 February 2024, has taken local associates by surprise, with substantial increases. Unexpected changes to Mozambique’s official fees New official fees in Mozambique are unexpectedly set to come into effect on 26 February 2024. The announcement of these changes was made through an […]
February 08 2024
Changes at the Libyan Trade Marks Office and the new Executive Regulations no. 26 for 2024
Libya’s latest trade mark regulations herald key changes for protecting and registering trade marks locally. Changes at the Libyan Trade Marks Office and the new Executive Regulations no. 26 for 2024 On 17 January 2024, the Libyan Ministry of Economy issued Resolution No. 26 of 2024 presenting new regulations for Chapter Ten of Law No. […]
February 08 2024
Unlawful competition finding: Nutrifoods Ghana Ltd. v Twellium Industries Ltd
The recent judgement in the case Nutrifoods Ghana Ltd. v Twellium Industries Ltd highlights the significance of pleading sufficient evidence in establishing claims of unlawful competition in Ghana Unlawful competition finding: Nutrifoods Ghana Ltd. v Twellium Industries Ltd On 18 December 2023 the Ghana High Court delivered judgement in respect of the unlawful competition case […]
February 08 2024
EUIPO’s TMClass welcomes The Gambia
The Gambia Industrial Property Office (GIPO) has joined the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) TMClass harmonized database of goods and services (HBD) as the 96th participating IP office. EUIPO’s TMClass welcomes The Gambia As from 18 December 2023, GIPO will officially use and recognize terminology from the HDB in TMclass. GIPO’s decision to use […]
February 08 2024
Copyright training session hosted by The Gambia Copyright Office
On 5 December 2023, the Copyright Office which is part of the National Centre of Arts and Culture conducted a training session in The Gambia’s North Bank Region on issues affecting copyright and related rights promotion and protection. This was in accordance with its mandate in terms of sections 56 and 57 of the 2004 […]
February 08 2024
Adams & Adams collaborate with Cape Verde Registry
Adams & Adams recently engaged with the Cape Verde Registry to discuss its collaboration with WIPO, proposed fee adjustments, and a new Industrial Property Code to address and overcome ongoing challenges relating to capacity and delays. Adams & Adams collaborate with Cape Verde Registry On 12 December 2023 Elio Teixeira, partner at Adams & Adams, […]
February 08 2024
Angola Registry adopts zero tolerance for delayed filing powers of attorney
The Angola Registry has modified its stance on deadline extensions for filing powers of attorney in trade mark opposition cases, refusing any late filings and deeming it irrelevant to discuss the merits of its decision. The Registry’s internal rules provide that extensions can only be requested once, for 30 or 60 days, as stated in […]
February 08 2024
NEGLIGENCE VS GROSS NEGLIGENCE DILEMMA IN INSURANCE CLAIMS: EYEBROW RAISING FINDING BY THE OMBUDSMAN
INTRODUCTION: The law draws a distinction between “negligent conduct” and “grossly negligent conduct”. Grossly negligent conduct is synonymous with reckless conduct. The distinction is of great legal significance. If a conduct is deemed to be “negligent”, an insurance policy is bound to respond to a claim. If, however, it is found to be “grossly negligent”, […]
February 08 2024
New Managing Director at the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) Appointed
With effect from 26 January 2024, Mr John Onyango, was appointed as the new Managing Director of KIPI for a 3 year term. This permanent appointment follows a long stint as the Acting Managing Director from 1 December 2019 – 31 May 2023. From 1 June 2023 – 25 January 2024, Ms Norah Ratemo was […]
February 07 2024
Adams & Adams welcomes Dr Joanne van Harmelen as new partner
Adams & Adams is very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Joanne van Harmelen as a new partner. Joanne joins Adams & Adams in March 2024, bringing her expertise as patent attorney in life sciences, chemical inventions and plant breeders’ rights to strengthen the firm’s highly regarded patent, design and PBR legal services. “We […]
February 01 2024
Bell tolls for Dabus Machine in the UK
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom handed down its judgment on whether a machine (Dabus) powered by artificial intelligence (AI) may be an inventor in terms of the UK Patents Act. The Court was asked to consider two patent applications filed by Dr Stephen Thaler who maintains that the inventions were created autonomously by […]
January 31 2024