Trade Marks in Africa

With offices in 23 countries in Africa we are able to assist you with IP matters across the continent.
We are able to assist with filing strategies, availability searches and the filing, prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of your trade marks, as well as recording any changes pertaining your trade marks, and providing related advice, in all countries in Africa. We have qualified trade mark and IP practitioners and dedicated support teams who work closely with our Associate and IP offices across Africa. Our extensive experience coupled with an in depth and first-hand knowledge of Africa’s IP systems ensures that we are best placed to assist our clients with prosecution strategies and the protection of their trade marks in all countries in Africa.
Download Brochure Download Map
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Protection of Well Known Trade marks
Madrid Registrations Enforceable
First to File Jurisdiction
Opposition Proceedings Possible
Non-use Period For Cancellation
Custom Recordals Possible
Yes
Yes
No
No
3 Years
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
2 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
3 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
Yes
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
No
5years
No
Yes (OAPI)
No
No
No
3 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5years
Yes
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5years
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No
No
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
3 years
Yes
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
5 years
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
3 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
3 years
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
No
No
No
Yes
5 years
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
5 years
Yes
No
No
No
No
N/A
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
Yes
Yes
No
No
3 years
No
Yes (OAPI)
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 years
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
5 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
3 years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
5 years
Yes

What we do

Adams & Adams has a team of experienced attorneys specialising in all forms of IP enforcement and has represented both local and foreign clients in several high-profile and precedent-setting cases.

Through our enforcement services, we protect and defend our clients’ rights not only in South Africa but across the African continent by way of Court proceedings, trade mark oppositions and cancellations, company name objections, domain name disputes, online content take-down procedures, advertising complaints, custom recordals and anti-counterfeiting proceedings.

We also assist in maintaining your trade mark rights through the constant scanning of new applications for potential violations and regular checks for infringement. Not all disputes require the onset of litigation, and our litigators are equally experienced in the negotiation and conclusion of settlement agreements and seeking and achieving commercially sound solutions.

Our extensive footprint and depth of knowledge and experience give us a unique advantage in the ability to advise clients on enforcement strategies and their execution in Africa.

Trade Marks Related Articles
View All
news

#AD OR #ATRISK? What the Arb's Influencer Ruling Means for Brand Owners

As consumers increasingly turn to social media for recommendations, influencer marketing has become one of the fastest-growing and most influential forms of advertising and one of the most valuable to...

August 13 2026

Advertising LawBrandingChanel TewaryIntellectual Property​Regulatory LawTrade Marks
news

The Art of Choosing a Trade Mark

For many business owners, choosing a name for a new business venture is an exciting stage of building a brand. However, it is also one of the most important decisions you will make, as your trade name...

August 12 2026

BrandingIntellectual PropertyMichelle SmithTrade Marks
news

Can You Recognise a Brand by Colour Alone? The Latest Instagram Trend Says Yes – But Trade Mark Law Isn't Quite So Simple

Instagram’s latest branding trend is simple: remove the logo, remove the name, and leave only colour swatches to choose from. Surprisingly, as it would appear from the comments and user engageme...

August 07 2026

BrandingIntellectual PropertyKim RampersadhNontando TusiTrade Marks

How can we help you?

We have offices in four major cities in South Africa: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Additionally, we have 23 associate offices in the rest of Africa, the firm serves as a gateway into Africa for IP clients. Please contact your nearest office for any legal enquiry or assistance.