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).

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.

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.

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.

A round-up of recent economic, political and legal developments and trends that have taken place in Africa

The Somalia Registry is now operational and it is possible to file trade mark applications in Somalia.

The Tunisian Patent and Trademark Office (INNORPI) has announced a 100% increase in official trade mark fees, effective from 27 January 2020.

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.

We take a look at the intended effects of the Competition Commission’s investigation into the pricing of school uniforms and the subsequent agreements signed before the Competition Tribunal in 2019.

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.

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.

The Grocery Retail Market Inquiry Report has been released, and it provides an extensive shopping list for inclusive growth in the Grocery Retail sector. The Adams & Adams Competition Law team discusses the report findings.

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.

Adams & Adams attorneys have been recognised for their professional excellence, making this year’s list of The Best Lawyers in South Africa, with several awards received by the firm’s partners.

Competition law in South Africa. The Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) recently dismissed an application for interim relief by Africa People Mover (APM), where it sought to interdict the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) from refusing APM access to the bus terminal at Johannesburg Park Station.

In line with its growing relevance as an upper middle-income economy, Mauritius’ Intellectual Property (IP) regime is getting a makeover.

There is no better time than now for local gaming companies to consider exploiting available forms of Intellectual Property to protect their video games, controllers, and consoles.

On 4 November 2017, Fanie Baloyi, 11 years old at the time, was killed along with four other children from the community when a high mast light ring and flood lights dislodged and fell on them.

Often road accident victims, or their relatives, are unaware of what legal remedies are in place and those who do not know where to go or if their claims are valid.

The Jacobs v RAF case is ground-breaking. Setting a new precedent, the case will help potential claimants going-forward. Needless to say, the circumstances surrounding each individual case will ultimately determine the outcome.

Over the past year or so, a surprising number of international brand owners have come under fire for offensive marketing campaigns, products, and brand names. Kareema Shaik, Senior Associate at Adams & Adams, on drawing the line between interesting and offensive branding.

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”.

The National Intellectual Property Policy was launched in Malawi in May 2019. The Policy is part of the Malawian government’s Growth and Development Strategy III, which has identified industrialisation and the structural transformation of the economy as a key priority area essential to maintaining long-term growth and economic development.