Strengthening IP Partnerships and Digital Progress in Botswana

Towards the end of July, Adams & Adams Partner, Eugene Honey, and Africa Practice Manager, Menzi Maboyi, travelled to Gaborone to visit our Associate Office, other local partners and the Companies and Intellectual Property Agency (CIPA). At CIPA, we were warmly welcomed by the Assistant IP Registrar, Ms Malebogo Selemogo, and the Patents Officer, Mr Qualitus Ketjimambo.

Wide-ranging discussions were held on operational aspects, including the progress made with the online platform which has shown steady progress and an increase in filings. Ongoing adaptations to the system continue with the support provided by WIPO. We also discussed the resolution of the backlog being experienced from outstanding matters and we were pleased to receive the support of CIPA with this exercise. We were encouraged by the developments at CIPA and its drive towards a fully digitised filing process.

L-R: Menzi Maboyi, Assistant Registrar: Ms Malebogo Selemogo, Registration Officer: Ms Tuduetso Mautle, Chikondi Banda, Patents Officer: Mr Qualitus Ketjimambo, Trade Mark Examiner: Basadi Badirwang, and Eugene Honey