News & Insights
Sharing industry insights at the Adams & Adams Africa Network Meeting
Adams & Adams hosted its ninth annual Africa Network Meeting on 15 September 2022, bringing together local partners, practitioners, registry staff and registrars from at least 30 African countries across the continent to share insights and challenges of the African IP community. A highlight of the event was an inspiring address by guest speaker Dr […]
October 14 2022
Impact Of Loadshedding On Medical Negligence Cases
Introduction Eskom, the country’s only public power utility, is seriously battling to meet the electricity power demands of the population, and this is likely to have catastrophic consequences for the healthcare system. In recent weeks, several government officials have been calling on Eskom to exempt hospitals and health institutions from loadshedding. Health institutions rely heavily […]
October 07 2022
Adams & Adams professionals celebrated in WIPR’s Diversity 2022 global list
4th October 2022 – For a second year in a row, Adams & Adams professionals have been recognised in all three categories of World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) Diversity. The list, published annually, showcases IP professionals around the globe, who are making a mark in driving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the field. Firm attorney Alissa Naran (Nee Nayanah) […]
October 04 2022
NEW MOZAMBIQUE COPYRIGHT ACT
On 29 June 2022, the Assembly of the Republic approved the new Copyright Law of Mozambique, Law 9/2022. The new law came into force on 26 September 2022. The new Copyright Act is aimed at promoting and safeguarding the protection of literary, artistic and scientific works. The scope of works eligible for protection has been expanded […]
September 28 2022
Rule 42(1)(b): Ambiguities, Errors and Omissions in Court Orders or Judgments
There are instances where a court order or judgment contains mistakes, ambiguities, or omissions which the court must correct or clarify to the litigants. Often, the purpose of such clarification/correction is to ensure that the proper and true intended purpose of the order or judgment is given effect to and to ensure that such order […]
September 22 2022
Blind SA vs Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition & Others
The Constitutional Court declares provisions of the Copyright Act unconstitutional The Constitutional Court of South Africa has declared the Copyright Act unconstitutional to the extent that it limits or prevents persons with visual and print disabilities from accessing works protected by copyright, in ways that persons without such disabilities would be able to access. In […]
September 22 2022
HOME & HOUSE CONTENTS INSURANCE CLAIMS AMID ENDLESS LOADSHEDDING
South Africa’s energy crisis seems to be getting worse by the day, and there is no end in sight. Eskom, the only public energy supplier who has in the past received massive financial injections from the government, seems to be helpless at this point. There are many reasons that have been advanced for this crisis […]
September 20 2022
DRAFT LAW TO ESTABLISH CONGOLESE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY OFFICE ADOPTED
The Senate has adopted a draft law establishing the Congolese Industrial Property Office. With the establishment of the Industrial Property Office, the aim is to provide technical assistance to local economic operators, researchers and inventors preparing documents to obtain industrial property titles, assignments and licensing. It will also provide local services to national users; such […]
September 14 2022
ARIPO AD HOC SUB-WORKING GROUP ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS HOLDS SECOND MEETING
On 26 and 27 July, the second meeting of the ARIPO ad hoc sub-working group on geographical indications (GIs) took place in Harare, Zimbabwe. The meeting was attended (in person) by the representatives of the sub-working group from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Two consultants recruited by AfrIPI were also present. One consultant […]
September 14 2022
TM NOT EQUAL TO HEALTH AUTHORITY AUTHORISATION – DISCLAIMER AGAINST CLASS 5 PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION TO THIS EFFECT NOW COMPULSORY
In order to curb misuse of pharmaceutical trade mark registrations, the Angolan trade marks office (IAPI) has issued notice 9/2022 which states that, going forward, all registration certificates for pharmaceutical trade marks in class 5 shall now contain the following disclaimer: “This title grants the right of ownership and exclusive use of the trademark throughout […]
September 14 2022
SOUTH AFRICA ESTABLISHING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has announced that South Africa intends to launch Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (“UJ”) and Tshwane University of Technology (“TUT”). UJ and TUT are co-founders of the AI institute, together with Communications and Digital Technologies Department. The aim of the AI Institute […]
September 14 2022
MMA PROHIBITS THE USE OF CERTAIN WORDS AND EMBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2022 RUGBY WORLD CUP 7’S
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has promulgated, in terms of Section 15A of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1941 as amended (“MMA”), the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7’s as a “protected event”. The event will be hosted in South Africa from 9 -11 September 2022. As a protected event, the use of the logos as […]
September 14 2022
NIGERIA COPYRIGHT COMMISSION SIGNS MOU WITH FEDERAL AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA TO COMBAT PIRACY AT NATIONAL AIRPORTS
The Director-General of Nigeria Copyright Commission (“NCC “), announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria (“FAAN”) which aims to curb the sale of goods which infringe copyright at the national airports in Nigeria. The Director General of the NCC, raised concerns that numerous books and DVDs […]
September 14 2022
ZAMBIA LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC TRADE MARK REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2022
Patents & Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) issued a public notice of 23 August 2022, announcing that effective from 1 September 2022, the Zambian Registry will only issue electronic trade mark registration certificates.
September 14 2022
PLANS TO COLLABORATE WITH ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS TO FIGHT ONLINE COUNTERFEITING
In order to curb the rise of counterfeit goods offered for sale online in Kenya, the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority is proposing to partner with Kenya’s Digital Markets. A meeting was held between leading Kenyan Digital markets and the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority. The plan is to have online platform owners evaluate their vendor base to ensure […]
September 14 2022
UPDATE ON COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT BILL & PERFORMERS' PROTECTION AMENDMENT BILL
Following, the adopting of ‘D’ version of the Copyright Amendment Bill on 8 June, as well as the ‘D’ version of the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill, the National Assembly, passed the bills on 31 August 2022. The bills have now been sent to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence. In addition, parliamentary hearings, as well […]
September 14 2022
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER APPOINTED AT THE KENYAN ANTI-COUNTERFEIT AUTHORITY
The Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Authority has announced the appointment of Dr. Mbugua Njoroge as the new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment took effect on 1 August 2022. Dr. Mbugua Njoroge succeeds Ms. Fridah Kaberia, who served as Executive Director. for two years in an Acting capacity. Dr. Njoroge previously served as the Chief Executive Officer at the […]
September 14 2022
THE SECOND COUNTRY IN AFRICA TO ‘ACCEPT’ CRYPTOCURRENCY?
The Ethiopian Central Bank issued a directive calling on all operators of cryptocurrency in the country, to register with the Network Security Administration (INSA). INSA is the national cybersecurity agency. This move by the Central Bank, has been viewed as an indication that the Ethiopian government is ready to partake and develop the cryptocurrency industry […]
September 14 2022