Uganda
Uganda hosts Africa’s First Women in IP Conference
The African Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) together with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) held the inaugural conference on Women in Intellectual Property in Kampala, Uganda. The 3 day conference, which took place between 28- 30 August 2024, hosted guests and speakers from several ARIPO countries. Notable speakers included Bemanya Twebaze, the Director General of […]
October 15, 2024|
THE PROTECTION OF FAMOUS TRADE MARKS
In 2004, Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Limited filed an opposition against the registration of trade mark application UG/T/2004/039465 B&H in class 9. Benson & Hedges based its opposition on the local and international reputation vesting in the BENSON & HEDGES trade marks, including the B&H trade marks. It alleged, in effect, that its trade marks […]
September 12, 2024|
Stakeholder meeting on the Anti Counterfeit Goods and Services Bill
On 3rd July 2024, a public stakeholder meeting was held over the Anti Counterfeit Bill in Kampala. The Anti Counterfeit Bill, 2023 is a Private Members Bill, that is, introduced by a Member of Parliament of Uganda and not the Government. The meeting was attended by government agencies such as the Uganda Police Force, Uganda […]
August 12, 2024|
Empowering Entrepreneurs with just a few clicks: The launch of USRB’s online business registration in Uganda
What previously took between 10 to 15 business working days to register a company in Uganda, has now been reduced to 3 hours. The launch of the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau is a significant step toward streamlining and […]
May 13, 2024|
Training workshop on copyright best practices held in Uganda.
On 8 and 9 February 2024, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organised a two-day training seminar which included a number of participants such as musicians, authors, publishers, producers, comedians, academia, and collective management organizations, to name a few. Mercy Kainobwisho, The Registrar General of the URSB, emphasised […]
April 12, 2024|
Two-day Training Workshop on Copyright Management Best Practices
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), convened a comprehensive two-day training seminar on ‘collective management operations and licensing practices’ on 8 and 9 February 2024. This hybrid event brought together a diverse array of participants including musicians, authors, publishers, producers, comedians, academia, and collective management organizations. […]
March 12, 2024|
Increase in publication fees
Following a stakeholder engagement meeting with the USRB and the Ugandan Government Printer (responsible for publishing trade mark applications under the new Trade Mark Regulations), the trade mark publication fees have been increased from USD80 to USD100 with immediate effect. This fee, however, may vary according to the length of the specification of goods/services. Typesetting […]
March 12, 2024|
Key amendments proposed to Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006 in Uganda
On 13 December 2023, a pivotal stakeholder validation meeting at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau discussed the outcomes of consultations, principles, and the draft Bill aimed at amending the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006. Recognizing the evolving landscape of technology and emerging practices, the proposed amendments seek to address several crucial aspects not addressed […]
February 8, 2024|
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau takes steps to obtain protection for shea butter as a Geographical Indication
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is in the process of obtaining Geographical Indications (GI) status for its shea butter products that originate in Northern Uganda. Shea butter, a fat extract from the Vitellaria Nilotica species of tree, is a popular and sought after beauty product used in moisturisers, hair products and cosmetics world-wide. WIPO […]
November 13, 2023|
UGANDA: National Intellectual Property Week in Uganda
Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP). Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP) in the last few decades and the […]
April 19, 2023|
UGANDA: Workshop with WIPO on IP for Small and Medium Enterprises
From 23 to 24 February 2023, WIPO, in collaboration with Uganda Registration Services Bureau and ARIPO, held a national workshop on intellectual property for small and medium enterprises in Uganda, Kampala. The aim of the workshop was to bring awareness to the participants on the role of intellectual property as an effective tool in driving […]
March 8, 2023|