News & Insights
Trade Mark Search: Everything You Need to Know
A trade mark is a category of intellectual property that distinguishes a product, service, or brand from a competitor. It consists of a sign and conventionally includes a word, name, slogan, signature or combination of letters and/or numerals. Unconventionally it can also include sounds, smells, colours, and shapes. A trade mark must be registered in […]
October 21 2022
Are Trade Marks Protected by Intellectual Property?
Yes, trade marks are protected by intellectual property rights. Intellectual property’ (IP) is a generic term used to refer collectively to intangible products such as patents, industrial designs, trade marks and brand names, copyright, trade secrets and know-how, etc., all of which are products created through the innovative or creative efforts of people. It is […]
October 21 2022
Clarity for Crypto Asset service providers
Over the past few years, there has been a marked uptake in the trading of crypto assets, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Monero. These digital currencies often surpass regulatory scrutiny because they are not recognised as financial products. This has now changed. The Financial Service Conduct Authority (FSCA) has recently provided much-needed clarity on the […]
October 21 2022
A second bite at the (appeal) cherry, In Thermos Hong Kong Limited v Doshi Ironmongers Limited
In Thermos Hong Kong Limited v Doshi Ironmongers Limited (Civil Appeal (Application) E013 of 2021) [2022] KECA 544 (KLR), the Kenyan Court of Appeal had to determine whether a party had a second right to appeal an appellate decision from the High Court in relation to a trade mark dispute. To recap, this case was […]
October 21 2022
Power coupled with Duty, the Intercape story
Courts are not designed to govern. That is the government’s job, involving budget allocations and tough choices, sometimes between life and death. The distribution of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary create a carefully crafted balance, designed to deliver on the vision of the Constitution. If the balance is disturbed, the system […]
October 18 2022
Data Protection on the rise in Tanzania
Tanzania has joined the likes of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya in making provision for Data Protection legislation. The Data Protection Bill was expected to be tabled before parliament during the month of September 2022, following on-going talks on data protection. The Bill proposes the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act of 2022. The […]
October 14 2022
OAPI - Technology and Intellectual Property Day
On 13 September 2022 OAPI celebrated the Africa Technology and Intellectual Property Day, under the theme “Intellectual Property: Harnessing Industrialization and Economic Diversification in Africa”. The aim of celebrating the day was to shine a light on the policies, strategies and practices involving intellectual property and technology in the African economy. The Minister of International […]
October 14 2022
Development of Nigeria’s National IP Policy and Strategy under focus
Ms Lorreta Asiedu, a senior counsellor of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), recently led a delegation in Nigeria to visit Abubakar Malami, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. The purpose of the visit was to seek the Minister’s support on WIPO’S efforts in developing and adopting the National IP Policy […]
October 14 2022
The new Copyright Fund in Malawi
The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) has taken advantage of Section 98 of the Copyright Act of 2016 and has established the Copyright Fund after the expiry of the Cultural Support Scheme, which was previously administered by COSOMA on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The main objectives of the Copyright Fund include the enforcement […]
October 14 2022
Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority plans to apportion liability to the owners of e-commerce platforms
Kenya has been experiencing an increase in cases of online counterfeiting. This increase was triggered during, and in the wake of, the COVID-19 pandemic when counterfeiters could no longer conclude in person transactions. To maintain their illicit activities, counterfeiters moved their businesses online and have been offering their products for sale on popular online platforms. […]
October 14 2022
The Ivorian Office of Intellectual Property (OIPI): Workshop on the role of intellectual property in the profession of graphic design
On 31 August 2022, OIPI hosted a workshop on the role of intellectual property in graphic design, for the stakeholders in the industry. The objective of the workshop was to, amongst others, bring awareness and highlight the significance of intellectual property in the field of graphic design, and provide the participants with the relevant information […]
October 14 2022
Cape Verde accedes to the Madrid Protocol
The central Atlantic Island country of Cape Verde has officially acceded to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trade marks. The Protocol entered in force on 6 July 2022. It is now possible for trade mark owners to designate Cape Verde when applying for the protection of their trade marks through WIPO’s international […]
October 14 2022
ARIPO- 15th Cohort of the Masters Degree in Intellectual Property Programme
On 22 August 2022 the Director General of ARIPO, Bemanya Twebaze, together with partners WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation), the government of Japan and the Africa University, launched the 15th cohort of the Masters in Intellectual Property Programme (MIP programme). The MIP programme plays an essential role in addressing the need for education in the […]
October 14 2022
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