News & Insights
The New Landscape of Trade Mark Laws In Zambia
Last year, Zambia passed the Trade Marks Bill 2023 in an effort to revise its archaic trade mark legislation prescribed by the Trade Marks Act (Chapter 401) 1958 (“the Old Act”). The Old Act has been in force for more than six decades. The Old Act did not provide for the registration of service marks […]
January 19 2024
What are the key insurance policy considerations as the year kickstarts?
It is that period where there are many pressing things which preoccupy people’s minds, such as school/university fees, finalising the last errands before heading back to work, etc. Against this backdrop, it is perhaps understandable why this is a period where most insureds are likely to miss sight of critical aspects of their insurance policies. […]
January 11 2024
North African countries collaborate to strengthen anti-counterfeiting measures in an environmentally sustainable manner
Countries in Northern Africa, including Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt have been increasing their focus on anti-counterfeiting and protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. A seminar, following on from previous events hosted by AfrIPI, was held in September 2023 in partnership with other international organizations to focus on enforcement of intellectual property rights and […]
December 14 2023
Netflix, Amazon Prime and others invest in Nigeria
Nigeria has the potential to become one of the largest export markets for the US creative sector. Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary for economic and business affairs, United States department of state, says the US government is willing to invest in Nigeria’s creative economy. The U.S. mission in Nigeria has been supporting the Africa International Film […]
December 14 2023
WIPO Director General Visits Namibia and Pledges Support in Developing an Innovation Ecosystem
Over the years, WIPO has been assisting African countries in developing IP policies and innovation ecosystems. Namibia is one of the countries collaborating with WIPO. This collaboration resulted in WIPO’s Director General, Daren Tang visiting Namibia to pledged WIPO’s continued support for strengthening Namibia’s innovation ecosystem. The two- day visit enabled the Director General to […]
December 14 2023
WIPO Director General launch a joint master’s degree program on IP and innovation in Morocco
WIPO has extended its collaboration with Morocco to include a joint master’s degree program on IP and Innovation. The agreement regarding establishment of the joint master’s program was signed during a visit by WIPO’S Director General Daren Tang to Morocco in October 2023. The master’s program hosted by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the […]
December 14 2023
Recent successes in appeals for delays in meeting formalities deadlines for patent matters in Egypt
Egypt is one of several countries that still require applicants to obtain legalisation of certain documents when filing patent, design or trademark applications in that country. Failure to file the legalised documents within the deadlines provided often lead to lapsing of the right in question. Applicants are afforded the opportunity to file an appeal against […]
December 14 2023
47th Session of the Administrative Council and 19th Session of the Council of Ministers of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) held in Gaborone, Botswana
The 47th Session of the Administrative Council of ARIPO was held in Gaborone, Botswana from 20 – 23 November 2023. Adams & Adams Partners, Nicky Garnett and Jameel Hamid, together with the Africa Practice Manager, Menzi Maboyi attended the session. Adams & Adams works closely with ARIPO and we continue to support ARIPO in its […]
December 14 2023
Adams & Adams visits Zambia
On 10 November 2023, Adams & Adams Partner and Chairperson of the Africa Strategy Committee, Mr Simon Brown and the Africa Practice Manager, Mr Menzi Maboyi, travelled to Lusaka, Zambia to meet with the newly appointed Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and his team. Our team was […]
December 14 2023
OAPI workshop: Geographical Indicators
OAPI in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project and the Project to Support the Implementation of Geographical Indications (GI) in OAPI Member States (PAMPIG2) recently hosted a regional workshop in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé. The three-day event focused on the “Management of Geographical Indications in the OAPI area: Current […]
December 14 2023
Qualcomm and Adams and Adams Launch Free Online IP Training for African Innovators
Johannesburg – Dec 11, 2023 – Qualcomm Incorporated announced today, the launch of L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform, a free online training program designed to empower startups, SMEs, and researchers in Africa to protect, secure, and maximize their innovations. This program has been created in collaboration with Adams and Adams, Africa’s leading intellectual property (IP) […]
December 13 2023
The Power of the Embargo - A reaffirmation by the SCA of the Body Corporate's right to impede transfer of a sectional title unit
In the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the matter between The Body Corporate of Marsh Rose v Steinmuller and Others (149/2022) [2023] ZA SCA 143, the court underscored the inherent right of a body corporate to block the transfer of a property by withholding a levy clearance certificate because of outstanding […]
November 28 2023
Another Constitutional Challenge in Family Law
On 4 December 2023, the Pretoria High Court will determine whether Section 10(2) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act is unconstitutional and should be referred to the Constitutional Court. The Court invited Adams & Adams Attorneys, together with the Gauteng Attorney’s Association, to join the proceedings as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court in […]
November 22 2023
Actio communi dividundo: The judicial partition of co-owned property
It was recently reported in the media that an increasing number of people are opting to buy properties collectively.1 This trend is hardly surprising given the recent hikes in interest rates and the rising costs of living. This has, however, also given rise to a growing number of disputes between co-owners, making the Roman maxim, […]
November 15 2023
Insurance-related Legalities and Considerations as Hailstorms Wreak Havoc
Large parts of Johannesburg and Mpumalanga were hit by a severe hailstorm on Monday, 13 November 2023. Since then, various media platforms have been abuzz with videos and pictures depicting the damage caused by the said hailstorm. Many cars, roads, buildings, infrastructure, establishments, etc. were damaged in the process. Naturally, the first thing that the […]
November 15 2023
10 of the most innovative economies in Africa in 2023
WIPO recently published its 16th edition of the Global Innovative Index (GII). The GII lists the leading economies in global innovation, ranking the innovation performance of 132 economies. The GII ranking highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of each economy. The GII measures innovation based on criteria that include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, […]
November 13 2023
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau takes steps to obtain protection for shea butter as a Geographical Indication
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is in the process of obtaining Geographical Indications (GI) status for its shea butter products that originate in Northern Uganda. Shea butter, a fat extract from the Vitellaria Nilotica species of tree, is a popular and sought after beauty product used in moisturisers, hair products and cosmetics world-wide. WIPO […]
November 13 2023
OAPI hosts the 18th Joint Commission on IP between OAPI and the National Institute of Industrial Property
On 13 October 2023, the 18th Joint Commission on Industrial Property between OAPI and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) from France, took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The discussions, which were led by Directors General, Denis BOHOUSSOU of OAPI and Pascal FAURE of INPI, focused on strengthening the training between the two offices […]
November 13 2023