OAPI – New Official Fees for Patents and Utility Models

As part of the implementation of Annex I of the revised Bangui Agreement, OAPI has published new official fees which apply to all patent and utility model applications fled after 1 January 2025. This development follows previous updates OAPI – Training of patent examiners – Adams & Adams announcing OAPI’s intention to introduce substantive examination […]

Adams NewsOAPI

Libya – Trade Mark Update

The Ministry of Economy in Libya recently issued a decree outlining updated requirements for trade mark renewals. Upon renewal, trade mark proprietors are now required to submit a financial statement acknowledging that the trade mark is an intangible asset, including its valuation. While clarity is being sought on the exact amount, the renewal fees have […]

Adams NewsLibya

Awareness of Fraudulent Communications

We have recently been made aware of individuals attempting to impersonate partners of Adams & Adams via email, particularly from the domain adamsafrica.org in an effort to mislead or defraud clients and the public. Please be advised that these individuals do not represent our firm. We are actively taking steps to identify and disable any […]

Adams NewsFIRM NEWS

48th Session of the ARIPO Administrative Council

Lesotho played host to this year’s annual Session of the ARIPO Administrative Council, which took place from 28 October 2024 to 1 November 2024. The Session was officially opened by the Minister of Law and Justice, Honourable Richard Ramoeletsi and focused on how IP can be used to drive economic growth and innovation, as well […]

Adams NewsARIPO

Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants comes into force

On 24 November 2024 the Arusha Protocol finally came into force, almost 10 years after it was first adopted in Arusha, Tanzania on 6 July 2015. The Protocol aims to create a harmonised system across contracting ARIPO member states for the protection of plant variety rights (PVR’s), enabling applicants to apply for protection with the […]

Adams NewsARIPO

Liberia National Police shifts focus to the enforcement of IP rights

The sad reality is that in many African countries, access to cheap goods is often prioritised over products’ origin and, as a result, counterfeit goods have gained an enormous foothold in the continent. Unfortunately, the failure of local governments to address this, has the devastating effect of undermining IP laws and ultimately making countries less […]

Adams NewsLiberia

IP Labs 2.0 inspires green innovation

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Nigeria Office has partnered with the Japan Patent Office to create two initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development in Nigeria and to encourage innovation. The IP Labs 2.0 and IP for Green Innovation projects were launched early in November 2024 and seek to provide intellectual property tools and knowledge […]

Adams NewsNigeria

OAPI championing initiatives for food security in Africa

OAPI brought together over thirty national decision makers and key role players from the agricultural sector at a national workshop held from 4 to 6 November 2024 in N’Djamena, Chad. Aimed at establishing guidelines for the creation, protection and enhancement of new plant varieties in Chad, the workshop was opened by the Chadian Minister of […]

Adams NewsOAPI

OAPI leads the way in global design protection strategies

From 11 November 2024 to 22 November 2024 the WIPO Diplomatic Conference took place in Riyadh, with the focus being the adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT). Over 1000 delegates from across the world met with the view of implementing this ambitious project aimed at simplifying and harmonising the enforcement of design protection across […]

Adams NewsOAPI

Senegalese Customs seizes counterfeit medicines in excess of 500 million CFA Francs

The Senegalese Customs Service executed a series of search and seizure operations during mid-November, forming part of a nation-wide strategy to address the distribution and sale of counterfeit narcotics and medicines. An estimated 400 kilograms of Indian Hemp, valued at 48 million CFA Francs, was seized in Keur Ayip, a village located on the border […]

Adams NewsSenegal