On 13 July 2023, Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs deposited the instrument of accession, signifying Mozambique’s accession to the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (“the Vienna Agreement”). The...
Africa Ip updates
South Africa: The Netball World Cup, a protected event in South Africa
The 2023 Netball World Cup was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa from 28 July to 6 August 2023. It has been a landmark event for the continent as this is the first time that this World Cup was hosted in Africa. As with the FIFA Soccer World Cup that was hosted by...
South Africa: The fate of plant-based meat alternatives
For those who may not be aware, in the last year, the plant-based food industry has come under fire in South Africa over using descriptive terms such as “burger”, “nugget” and “sausage” in relation to meat analogue products. In South Africa, meat analogue products...
SOUTH AFRICA – Plain packaging for tobacco products
Plain packaging for tobacco products? The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill has also been published for public comment. As with the version of the Bill published in 2018, the Bill seeks, inter alia, to empower the Minister to make...
SOUTH AFRICA – Food labelling a sea change proposed
On 21 April 2023, the Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs (“the Regulations”) were published in the Government Gazette for public comment. The Regulations propose a substantial departure from South Africa’s current labelling...
Ghana: The green light for the cultivation of “wee”
The Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 (“the Amendment Bill”) was, on 12 July 2023, passed into law in Ghana. The passing of the Narcotics Bill is a significant event as authorises the Minister of Interior to issue licenses permitting, in Ghana, the...
OAPI -The 9th edition of the African Exhibition of Invention and Innovative Enterprise
The ninth edition of African Exhibition of Invention and Innovative Enterprise (“Saiit”) was held in held Côte d’Ivoire on 24 to 26 July 2023. The Saait’s theme shining the spotlight on intellectual property, innovation and entrepreneurship. The Saiit, which is...
GHANA: A new Industrial Property Office may be on the cards
New legislation has been proposed in Ghana, the purpose of which is to establish a new Industrial Property Office in Ghana. The Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill, 2023 (“the Bill”) is currently pending before Parliament and has a way to go in the parliamentary...
Nothing but net – shooting too closely to the 2023 Netball World Cup?
The much-anticipated 2023 Netball World Cup is headed to Cape Town, South Africa from 28 July to 6 August 2023 and will be the first Netball World Cup to take place on the African continent. Hitting the headlines this week was the news that Discovery has withdrawn...
SOUTH AFRICA – Imprisonment of counterfeiters
In following on the successful operations shutting down a manufacturing plant of counterfeit oil and lubricant products in 2022 (previous publication at:...
How can we help you?
We have offices in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, please contact your nearest office for any legal enquiry or assistance.