The INTA Intellectual Property Exchange Forum for In-House Counsel took place on October 23 at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The forum brought together in-house counsel and external IP practitioners to talk through the practical IP challenges businesses face today, through presentations, panel discussions and peer exchange. Nicolette Biggar, Attorney at Law at Inventa, was amongst the attendees to represent Inventa and to share insights on our IP practices in Africa and Europe.

The programme opened with a session on artificial intelligence, in which Darren Olivier (Adams & Adams) explored how AI is changing the work of the in-house lawyer and the safeguards organizations need so they can benefit from it responsibly. A panel on South Africa’s evolving IP and regulatory landscape followed, moderated by Kyle Dalton (Moore Attorneys). Janine Thomas (ENSafrica) spoke on social media and influencer rights, Zama Mkosi (former Chairperson of the Film and Publication Board) on the Board’s overlap with copyright, and Sandy Beekhuizen (PG Group) on safety in the motor vehicle industry. In the second panel, moderated by Nicole Smalberger (Adams & Adams), Lushaan Cassim (ABSA), Delia Roopnarain (Premier FMCG) and Dale Healy (Adams & Adams) discussed the enforcement, litigation and determination of IP disputes, from both the in-house and the external counsel side.

The morning continued with peer-exchange tables on AI and IP, the value of IP in business, IP and employment, and cross-jurisdictional IP in Africa. Held under the Chatham House Rule, the tables allowed frank, practical discussion and were an excellent chance to connect with in-house counsel and practitioners from across the region. The event concluded with closing remarks by Christine Strutt (Von Seidels), followed by a networking lunch.