News & Insights
Fancy a Cheeky Tanzanian Red (or White)?
Tanzania is well known for having an economically active agricultural sector, an abundance of natural gas and of course home to the brilliant blue precious stones. In June this year, a local small-scale miner became an instant millionaire after selling two rough Tanzanite stones to the Government for $3.4m. The gemstones has a combined weight of 15kg (33 […]
September 24 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Liberia
Registry Visit In November 2019, Stephen Hollis (partner, Adams & Adams) and Menzi Maboyi (Africa Practice Manager) travelled to Monrovia to attend the ARIPO Admin Council Meeting. They also visited our Associate Office as well as the offices of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO). As LIPO was hosting the 43rd ARIPO Administrative Council Meeting […]
September 24 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Lesotho
Anti-counterfeiting search and seizure operations In February 2019, we travelled to and met with the Deputy Commissioner of Police – CID and his members with a view to obtaining their assistance in conducted various search and seizure operations in the Kingdom of Lesotho on behalf of various of our clients. As a result of this […]
September 21 2020
The Essentials of Intellectual Property in Fashion
Gucci, Versace, Prada, Valentino, Fendi… These are among some of the most elite and luxurious fashion brands in the world. They are brands which have been strategically exploited and brands which have been turned into gold mine assets for their respective fashion houses. As you might expect, intellectual property in fashion is important to understand […]
September 20 2020
Continued Impact of COVID-19 on Property Transfers
The impact of COVID-19 continues to spread across various sectors of our economy. The property sector is no exception. Although COVID-19 has negatively impacted the property sector by causing delays in finalisation of property transactions, the current prime lending (which is at a record low in 50 years) has made buying property seem more attractive. […]
September 15 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Kenya
New Managing Director of Kipi to be Appointed On Friday 29 November 2019, Mr Slyvance Sange’s tenure as the Managing Director of the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) came to an end. Mr Sange was appointed on 31 May 2014, initially in an acting capacity, but later permanently. Adams & Adams appreciated Mr Sange’s support […]
September 15 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Ghana
Registry Visit In November 2019, Adams & Adams partner, Stephen Hollis, and Africa Practice Manager, Menzi Maboyi,) travelled to Accra to visit our Associate Office, as well as the Ghana Registry. They met with the Assistant Registrar, Mr. Know Sessa Acquaye, to discuss Registry operations and outstanding matters. Mr. Acquaye provided an update on a […]
September 14 2020
How Does the Bond Registration Process Work in South Africa?
A mortgage bond is registered when an owner of immovable property uses the property as security to raise funds from a bank or other financial institution. This is either done when purchasing a property or when a property already registered in the owner’s name is used to raise funds. The purchaser will apply for a […]
September 13 2020
The must know principles of copyright protection in significant African territories
For a continent so rich in culture, music and creative works, surprisingly little is published about copyright law on the African continent, outside of South Africa. Despite much of it being in dire need of updating and reform, most African countries do have copyright legislation, however. This form of IP protection can be an incredibly […]
September 13 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Ethiopia
Online Trade Mark Filing System Introduced in Ethiopia The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has adopted an online trade mark filing system. The development was borne of an agreement between EIPO and WIPO to modernise the IP system in Ethiopia. The new system is expected to […]
September 13 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Eswatini (Swaziland)
Anti-counterfeiting training During March 2019, at the request of the Royal Swaziland Police, our Anti-Counterfeiting Team met with senior members of the Police to assist in developing and strategizing anti- counterfeit operations throughout Eswatini during April 2019. This meeting resulted in a Brand Identification Workshop being held with the Police during the first week of […]
September 12 2020
Primary Residence or Child Custody Law South Africa
A recently published report on Statistics SA has given insight into the divorce rate in South Africa; however, the report only reveals divorce rates up to the year 2018. The COVID-19 lockdown periods saw a significant (20%) increase in the number of divorce requests, while divorced and separated individuals struggled to navigate the blurred lines […]
September 10 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Egypt
Egyptian Trade Mark Office Fee Increase on Hold Official fee increases which were tabled in the ministerial decree No.179 dated 4 September 2019, were supposed to come into effect on 5 September 2019. However, this increase has not yet been effected and remains on hold. Associate Office hosts INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Workshop INTA Anti-counterfeiting Workshop In […]
September 01 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Positive Signs of Stability at the Registry The turnover in appointments of Ministers of Trade, who oversee the Registry functions, has always had a negative impact on the processing of applications filed at the Registry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is as a result of the requirement that the registration certificates […]
September 01 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Cape Verde
Treaties Joined On 4 April 2019 Cape Verde took a monumental step in ensuring copyright protection for its authors by acceding to WIPO’s three main copyright treaties: The WIPO Copyright Treaty (“WCT”) The Performances and Phonograms Treaty (the “WPPT”) The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired […]
September 01 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Burundi
New Approach to Trade Mark Renewals Historically, trade marks filed in Burundi were valid indefinitely; therefore, there was no need to pay renewal fees in this jurisdiction. In 2009, the law regarding trade mark renewals in Burundi changed. As mentioned in previous editions of this Update, trade mark proprietors should be aware of the impact […]
September 01 2020
Africa Update 2020 - Botswana
Author: Eugene Honey Registry Visit In July 2019, Adams & Adams partner, Eugene Honey and Trade Mark Administrator, Shakes Mashaba travelled to Gaborone to visit our Associate Office, as well as the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) at its premises in the new central business district. They met with the Registrar, Mr. Tim Moalusi, […]
September 01 2020
Lenovo Patent Case in UK Gives Guidance on Software Patentability in SA
Software patents have often been a divisive topic amongst technology companies and patent attorneys alike. This is certainly true in South Africa, but it is also a little more confusing here as we don’t have any reported cases on the topic to provide us with guidance or a set of rules for determining when, and […]
August 31 2020