News & Insights
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
OAPI confirms commitment to the protection and development of traditional medicine
OAPI held a seminar on the protection and development of traditional medicine on 5 October 2023. The seminar focused on the progress made to date regarding the implementation of the reference framework material for the protection of African inventions in the field of medicines, in the OAPI Member States. The various panellists discussed issues regarding […]
November 13 2023
Whirlpool for the Win
The Mozambican Trade Mark Registry recently issued a ruling in favour of Whirlpool Properties Inc. (“the Opponent”) in an opposition matter relating to the registration of the trade mark WESTPOOL logo (reflected below) in class 11, filed by Mozambique Commercial LDA (“the Applicant”). The Applicant is based in Manica, a market town in Mozambique, where […]
November 13 2023
Heads of IP of ARIPO Member States convene for their second annual conference
The heads of Intellectual Property (IP) offices of the ARIPO Member States convened in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Heads of IP Offices Conference (HIPOC). The conference, which was being held for a second time and has become an annual event, took place from 6-8 June 2023. It was organized by the African Regional Intellectual Property […]
November 13 2023
ARIPO and Ghana host a workshop to promote intellectual property rights and innovation
The Ministry of Justice and Attorney general’s Department in Ghana, in collaboration with ARIPO and the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI), hosted a 3-day workshop to promote intellectually property rights and innovation in ARIPO member states. AfrIPI is an international cooperation project funded and directed by the European Union, co-funded and implemented by […]
November 13 2023
Angola joins DESIGNClass and extends the coverage of TMClass to the Harmonised Data Base
The National Institute of Industrial Property of Angola (IAPI-AO) will use and accept the list of terms from the harmonised database of product indications (HDBPI) in DESIGNClass, as of 30 October 2023. DESIGNClass is an online search tool for harmonized product indications, and offers users the opportunity to search and translate product indications in 30 […]
November 13 2023
Adams & Adams Your Trusted Partner in North Africa
As Africa’s largest intellectual property law firm, Adams & Adams (A&A) has continued to establish Associate Offices in strategic jurisdictions within the continent. With 23 Associate Office across Africa currently, the establishment of an office in Egypt in 2015, remains a significant milestone in the evolution of the firm. Our office in Egypt has provided […]
November 10 2023
What’s in a (brand)name? Dos and don’ts when considering a new brand/trade mark
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” William Shakespeare used this line in his play Romeo and Juliet to convey that the naming of things is irrelevant; however, in our modern fast paced society, driven by brands that are worth hundreds of millions […]
November 06 2023
Constitutional Court Changes the Divorce Act
Adams Adams Africa · Hot 102.7 – 11-10-2023 | Constitutional Court Changes the Divorce Act
October 27 2023
NIGERIA – Trade mark proprietors forced to turn to Federal High Court to object to company names, as Administrative Proceedings Committee is declared unconstitutional
In the recent case of Ekpenyong v The National Assembly & 2 Others, the Federal High Court of Nigeria declared the existence of the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) unconstitutional. The APC was established in 2020 as an administrative tribunal intended to resolve disputes arising from the operation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act or its […]
October 25 2023
AFRICA NETWORK MEETING 2023
On 14 September 2023, Adams & Adams hosted the 10th annual Africa Network Meeting at its Pretoria offices. This was the first in-person event since the pandemic and saw the attendance of over 70 delegates representing over 20 African countries, including the meeting’s first delegate from Somalia. Other attendees included representatives from the African Regional […]
October 23 2023
SOUTH AFRICA - UPDATE ON THE COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT AND PERFORMERS’ PROTECTION AMENDMENT BILLS
On 26 September 2023, South Africa’s upper House of Parliament, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), adopted the highly controversial Copyright Amendment Bill, and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill. The Bills were sent back to the National Assembly (NA) for concurrence on the relatively minor changes to the Bills that NCOP proposes. It is anticipated […]
October 23 2023
KENYA - TIGHTENED LAW TO CURB DIGITAL PIRACY
Piracy is, unfortunately, not limited to the high seas but has become a real threat in the digital world and causes staggering losses of billions in potential revenue. These potential and real losses are also not limited to the digital world. Apart from the vital role of educating and creating an awareness of the value […]
October 23 2023