ADAMS AFRICA NEWS AND UPDATES
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Adams & Adams: Expanding on a legacy of Greatest Hits
Africa’s largest Intellectual Property (IP) firm has won again – this time being crowned South African IP Law Firm of 2020 (MIP) and certified as a Top Tier IP Law Firm 2020 (Chambers Global Directory).
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Official fee increase in Angola
It has been confirmed that official fees in Angola are set to increase. The Presidential Decree no. 62/20 authorizing the increase was published in the Government Gazette of 4 March 2020. It has been advised that the new official fees will come into force on 20 March 2020.
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Adams & Adams crowned IP Law Firm of 2020
Adams & Adams has been crowned South Africa’s Intellectual Property (IP) Law Firm of 2020. Africa’s largest IP law practice received top honours at the prestigious Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) awards ceremony held on 5 March 2020.
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Nigeria | A second WIPO External Office in Africa on the horizon
There are currently 6 WIPO External Offices worldwide. The first WIPO External Office in Africa was successfully opened less than a year ago in Algiers, Algeria and preparations for the opening of a second WIPO External Office in Africa are underway.
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Weighing up Africa’s investment potential
A round-up of recent economic, political and legal developments and trends that have taken place in Africa
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Trade mark applications in Somalia now possible
The Somalia Registry is now operational and it is possible to file trade mark applications in Somalia.
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Tunisia | Increase in official trade mark fees
The Tunisian Patent and Trademark Office (INNORPI) has announced a 100% increase in official trade mark fees, effective from 27 January 2020.
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ARIPO | Recent Amendments to the Banjul and Harare Protocols
At the recent meeting of the ARIPO Administrative Council, held in Liberia between 18 and 20 November 2019, a number of amendments to the Banjul and Harare Protocols were adopted and came into force on 1 January 2020.
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Kenya | New Managing Director to be appointed for IP Institute
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. Deputy Managing Director of KIPI, Mr John Onyango, has been appointed as Acting Registrar by the Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Industrialisation.
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Rwanda | Reminder regarding upcoming renewal date for trade mark registrations
Proprietors of trade marks in Rwanda should take note of an upcoming trade mark renewal deadline which may be relevant to their marks in this country.
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South Africa | A New Franchising Code is Imminent
Filling the gaps present in the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 2008, the Franchising Association of South Africa’s (FASAs) will regulate the relationship between franchisors and franchisees going-forward.
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Mauritius | Good for Investment and IP Protection
In line with its growing relevance as an upper middle-income economy, Mauritius’ Intellectual Property (IP) regime is getting a makeover.
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The enforceability of International Registrations in Zambia
In considering the status of International Registrations in Zambia, the Registrar held that an IR is “a trade mark that is already on the register” as required in terms of Section 17 of the Zambian Trade Marks Act and “for all intents and purposes no different to an application filed locally”.
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Rwanda | Upcoming renewal deadline for trade mark registrations
A Rwandan trade mark registration is valid for a 10 year period from the date of filing and is, thereafter, renewable for like periods. The Rwandan Registry allows for a grace period of 10 months following the expiry of a mark, within which to apply for the late renewal of a mark, subject to the payment of a penalty fee.