News & Insights
Steps to Facilitate Smooth Trading within AfCFTA
Steps to accelerate and advance seamless trade among the economies within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are poised to be implemented soon. These initiatives include the establishment of investment protocols to safeguard both foreign and domestic investors, protection of intellectual property rights, protocols promoting the involvement of women and youth in trade, as […]
March 12 2024
DISPUTE RESOLUTION MATTERS: A LAWYER ‘DODGES A BULLET’ AFTER HAVING RELIED ON NON-EXISTENT ChatGPT CASES IN COURT PAPERS!
In a judgment of 20 February 2024, by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, a lawyer who had relied on case law generated by ChatGPT dodged a figurative bullet when the court found that, given the circumstances of the case, she should not be slapped with a special cost order in her personal capacity. A […]
March 04 2024
President to Puff, Puff, Pass Cannabis Bill into Law
In September 2018, the Constitutional Court of South Africa unanimously ruled that the personal and private use of Cannabis, by adults, would be decriminalised. This meant that the ban on private possession and consumption as well as cultivation of Cannabis plants for personal use was unconstitutional and infringed on section 14 of the Constitution which […]
March 04 2024
THE TROUBLE WITH MICROBES, OR WHETHER A YEAST IS MORE LIKE A BEE OR A SALMON?
We’re fond of the “tool kit” approach to Intellectual Property. This is where we encourage our clients to view IP not through the lens of a set of rights to be obtained for their own sake, but instead as a series of legal tools which can be applied to a number of different situations and […]
March 04 2024
Adams & Adams strengthens patent team with new appointments.
Adams & Adams is very pleased to announce two new appointments to their patent team, which will further enhance the firm’s highly regarded patent, design and Plant Breeder’s Rights(PBR) legal services. Dr Joanne van Harmelen will take on the position as a new partner, bringing her expertise as patent attorney in life sciences, chemical inventions […]
March 01 2024
Are Midstream Reviews of Proceedings at an Investigative Stage Permissible? Insights from a Full Bench Appeal
An appeal serving before a full bench in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria has recently shed light on whether a midstream review of proceedings conducted at an investigative stage is permissible. The appeal stemmed from a ruling by a single judge in the same division that an investigation conducted at the […]
February 19 2024
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