News & Insights
Ed Sheeran two-steps to victory in copyright dispute across the pond
Ed Sheeran’s victories continue to multiply, after a New York jury recently ruled that his song, Thinking Out Loud, does not infringe the copyright of well-known American song, Let’s Get It On, written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend. This 100-million-dollar claim was first brought by Townsend’s heirs in 2017 against Sheeran, his records label, […]
May 10 2023
Grave Risks for Lawyers Relying on ChatGPT!
Development, growth, and advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing at a rapid speed. ChatGPT is one such chatbot that has taken the internet space by storm. There have been robust debates around the potential effects of ChatGPT across various tertiary institutions, different professional bodies, and various other institutions. There are also serious concerns about […]
May 05 2023
Brands in Africa: the dos and the don’ts
Africa is a vast continent and is often underestimated, both from a business but also from a brand protection perspective. Africa’s land mass exceeds that of India, China, the United States and Europe combined. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.3 billion people – or about 16.5% of the world’s population. […]
May 04 2023
Recent Developments in the NFT, Metaverse and Web 3 space
As technology continues to advance, the digital landscape is constantly evolving, presenting new opportunities and challenges for Intellectual Property (IP) law. There have been notable developments involving the interplay between Intellectual Property, Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”), and the Metaverse, since the publication of our previous article on the topic. Firstly, the Hermès v Rothschild case, which […]
May 04 2023
100 Years of Women in Legal Practice
The 10th of April 2023 marked 100 years since the Woman Legal Practitioners Act 7 of 1923 was promulgated. The Act contained a single section, which read: “Women shall be entitled to be admitted to practice and to be enrolled as advocates, attorneys, notaries public or conveyancers in any province of the Union, subject to […]
May 03 2023
NO CAR INSURANCE POLICY AND/OR DO NOT WANT TO CLAIM FROM THEIR INSURERS: HERE IS HOW THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS WORK
The reason why people take out insurance policies is to protect themselves against risk. Whilst taking out an insurance policy is the most preferred and popular way of protecting one’s motor vehicle against risks, there are other further alternatives which car owners can opt for. In addition to taking out an insurance cover, one can […]
April 26 2023
World Intellectual Property Day - Supporting inclusive innovation in Africa
On 26 April 2023, Adams & Adams joins the global intellectual property (IP) community in celebrating World IP Day. This special day, designated by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), aims to increase awareness and understanding of the role IP plays in driving innovation and creativity, and consequently economic growth. This year’s theme is Women […]
April 26 2023
Draft Regulations on Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs: Will the new warning labels be a put off?
Are you aware of the recent Draft Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs (“Draft Regulations”) which were published for comment on 21 April 2023? If not, read on, as these proposed regulations could have a significant impact on industries and businesses that are concerned with, or involved in, the packaging of foodstuffs. […]
April 24 2023
SOUTH AFRICA: SA Medical Research Council Meets with Future Research Leaders
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) which provides various health research grants to 15 universities across South Africa hosted a meeting with 65 grant holders. The SAMRC has committed over 70% of its research grant budget to previously disadvantaged institutions with a view to fostering development in these institutions by fast-tracking the transition of […]
April 19 2023
ZIMBABWE: The Principles of the Companies and IP Office of Zimbabwe bill - considered and approved by cabinet
The Zimbabwean cabinet has approved the principles of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe Bill. The approval of the principles of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe Bill by cabinet was announced on 11 October 2022. The Bill will provide for the establishment of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of […]
April 19 2023
UGANDA: National Intellectual Property Week in Uganda
Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP). Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP) in the last few decades and the […]
April 19 2023
TUNISIA:Tunisia accedes to WIPO treaties related to the digital environment.
ACCESSION TO THE WIPO COPYRIGHT TREATY AND WIPO PERFORMANCES AND PHONOGRAMS TREATY On 16 March 2023, Tunisia acceded to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, both of which will enter into force in the Republic of Tunisia on 16 June 2023. According to the WIPO website, […]
April 19 2023
RISKS FOR FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS OFFERING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEYOND THEIR EXPERTISE
It is not uncommon for people, investors and businesses to suffer financial losses as a result of sub-standard professional advice offered by Financial Service Providers (“FSP”), as defined in the Financial Services Advisory and Intermediary Act (“FAIS Act”). In some instances, a financial advisor is not duly qualified and/or adequately experienced. Sometimes, it has nothing […]
April 19 2023
South Africa: Counterfeit Remotes and Copyright Infringement Plague Multichoice
MultiChoice, a large African broadcasting company, has recently been flexing its intellectual property protection clout against pirates. The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)meets with various health research leaders to further support their development. A new initiative has been created to improve entrepreneurial development across Southern Africa.
April 18 2023
South Africa: Innovation Bridge Entrepreneur Community
A new initiative has been created to improve entrepreneurial development across Africa through a joint collaboration between the World Bank and the South African departments of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Small Business Development.
April 18 2023
Nigeria: Urgent Meeting Held at the Patents and Designs Registry
An urgent meeting was held at the Patents and Designs Registry on March 9, 2023 between the Chief Registrar, Officials of the Registry and Nigerian Agents to discuss certain aspects of filing processes within the Registry which have been reviewed.
April 18 2023
Kenya: Anti-Counterfeit Authority Implements New Strategy
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya launched its third strategic plan amidst also celebrating its re-certification of ISO standards related to Quality Management Systems Certification.
April 18 2023
ARIPO: Adams & Adams Meets with ARIPO
Adams & Adams was welcomed by the Director General of ARIPO during a courtesy visit to the ARIPO offices, along with BMatanga Intellectual Property Attorneys.
April 18 2023