News & Insights
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
Ambush marketing and the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens
Ambush marketing and the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens With the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens being hosted at the Cape Town Stadium (purpose built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup), one cannot help but think back to the FIFA World Cup and the ambush marketing tactics on display before and during the tournament. While […]
September 09 2022
Claiming under a life Insurance policy where the deceased body is missing
Introduction: The major events of recent years, particularly in South Africa, including the 2021 July civil unrest and 2022 Durban floods, have brought forth an issue that is not often entertained due to the rarity of such events, and that is whether it is possible to claim under a life policy where the deceased’s body […]
September 08 2022
Parody in South Africa: addressing the Hippo in the room
A recent advertising parody has caused quite a stir at the watering hole, and left consumers questioning whether Hippo.co.za may have been out of line. The advert, which has already garnered over half a million views on YouTube alone, is a parody of OUTsurance’s “saver” advertisements that appears to spoof the original advertisements that featured […]
September 07 2022
Duties of a Conveyancer in South Africa
Signing an offer to purchase is the first step in buying or selling a property. However, for the sale to be completed, a conveyancing attorney is required to facilitate the registration of the transfer of the property from the current owner’s name into the name of the purchaser. In this article, we will look at […]
August 31 2022
I scream, You scream, we all scream for Iceland
What are the boundaries when it comes to registering the name of a place, country, city or town as a trade mark? This is the question that the Grand Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is set to decide when it hears its first ever oral appeal in a matter […]
August 29 2022
Time for a competition Health Check
The recent raid by the Competition Commission on prominent players in the insurance industry serves as a wake-up call for companies to ensure that their affairs are in order. One way to do so is through a competition health check whereby an independent attorney conducts an assessment to establish whether your company’s policies and practices […]
August 29 2022
PRICE TO PAY IN THE KING PRICE CASE
PRICE TO PAY IN THE KING PRICE CASE: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH YOUR INSURER’S REQUESTS!! INTRODUCTION On 9 May 2022, the South Gauteng High Court division delivered a judgment in the matter between Zandisiwe Musa (“Musa” hereinafter) and King Price Insurance Company (“King Price” hereinafter). This judgment is significant in many respects, as it highlights […]
August 22 2022
Zambia trade mark bill open to comment
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry recently requested stakeholder comments on the draft 2022 Zambian Trade Marks Bill. The Bill proposes a number of significant amendments, including provision for service marks, multi-class applications, and an amendment of the registration and renewal terms to 10-year periods. The Bill also expressly recognises collective marks and geographical […]
August 18 2022
South Africa’s Rooibos industry pays out R12.2million to indigenous communities
The pay-out is the first payment as part of a benefit-sharing agreement signed in 2019. The 2019 agreement will result in the indigenous communities sharing in the profits of the rooibos industry, which benefits from the communities’ traditional knowledge and the commercial use of the plant. The 2019 agreement serves as an important acknowledgement of […]
August 18 2022
National Assembly passes COPYRIGHT ACT
On 29 July 2022, the National Assembly passed the Copyright Bill. This follows the passing of the Bill by the House of Representatives on 27 July 2022 and the Senate on 6 April 2022. The new Bill provides for the effective regulation, protection and administration of copyright in the digital economy in line with best […]
August 18 2022
Kenya enacts Finance Act
Kenya’s Finance Act, 2022 was assented into law on 22 June 2022 and gazetted on 8 July 2022. Despite this gazette date, the provisions of this Act came into effect on 1 July 2022. The Act has introduced amendments to various tax statutes including the Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act (“VAT”), Excise Duty […]
August 18 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 will come into force on 26 September 2022. The new Copyright Act is aimed at promoting and safeguarding copyright and related rights, under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic. In addition to […]
August 18 2022