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Protection and use of Certification Trademarks in Africa

Inês Tavares outlines how various African jurisdictions define and implement Certification Trademarks. Certification trademarks have a specific purpose aside from protecting the mark. Certification trademarks are trademarks that have the capability of distinguishing goods or services certified by the proprietor of the mark in what concerns the mode or the material of the manufacture...

August 24, 2020

Inês Tavares

Opinion ARIPO European Union Africa Industrial Property

Pause for thought - Misconceptions of IP in Africa

While businesses are exposed to significant challenges in Africa, Daniel Reis Nobre and Inês Monteiro Alves untangle IP misconceptions surrounding the continent. There are multiple misconceptions about different topics in Africa and IP is no exception, naturally. The answer is always education, of course. Lack of information and knowledge can easily lead to false understandings...

August 21, 2020

Inês Monteiro Alves

Opinion Sierra Leone Trademark Application Trademark Africa

Confusion remains over the not-so-young Trademarks Act of Sierra Leone

Until mid-2020 there were no regulations drafted on the implementation of the Sierra Leone Trademarks Act 2014, nor was the date of its entry into force defined in the act that was published in the Sierra Leone Gazette (vol CXLV 53 (9 October 2014)). Although the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (ie, the Sierra Leone Registry) informally announced in September 2018 th...

August 18, 2020

Júlia Alves Coutinho

Opinion China Patent Patent Internationalisation Africa Asia

Patent Applications in the African Continent having Origin in China

Background In recent years, the investment from Chinese companies has increased substantially. Chinese companies operating in Africa have contributed to the development of certain industries in different countries on African continent*. The fact that there is a growing investment by Chinese companies in African jurisdictions may result in a greater concern by these investors to protect their in...

August 13, 2020

Vítor Sérgio Moreira

Opinion Ethiopia Trademark Application Trademark Africa

Ethiopia’s online trademark system brought to a halt by internet shutdown

Following national protests relating to the fatal shooting of singer Hachalu Hundessa on 29 June, Internet access was cut across Ethiopia the next day. Hachalu was an activist and important figure in the Oromo community. Up until the cut, content showing protesters in the capital and across the Oromia region could be seen on social media. The Ethiopian government is led by Prime Minister Abiy A...

August 12, 2020

João Pereira Cabral

Announcement Botswana Trademark Application Industrial Design Trademark Africa Industrial Property

CIPA closes due to country lockdown

After COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Botswana, the government decreed a new lockdown, since July, 31. Therefore, the Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) IP Division is closed and will not receive any electronic filings and payments for all patents, trademarks, industrial designs and all other IP applications, until further notice. - Previous applications: This procedure also applies to a...

August 7, 2020

Opinion Mozambique Trademark Application Trademark Watch Trademark Africa

Registering defensive trademarks in Mozambique

The Industrial Property Law of Mozambique (31 December 2015) established the requirement to submit a declaration of intention to use (DIU) for trademarks. Unlike other Lusophone jurisdictions (eg, Portugal or Angola), where use of a mark is mandatory for the goods and/or services identified, the DIU system maintains the exclusive rights to a mark regardless of whether it is being used in the terri...

August 4, 2020

Miguel Bibe

Opinion Zambia Trademark Law Africa

The absence of service marks protection: a roadbump in the history of Zambian IP law

Although the use of trademarks, as a means to distinguish the goods of merchants and manufacturers, dates back to antiquity, the emergence of service marks is significantly more recent. For instance, while the expression ‘trademark’, understood as a ‘goods mark’ is present in the original text of the Paris Convention 1883, the first occurrence of the expression ‘se...

July 28, 2020

Vera Albino

Opinion Kenya Trademark Internationalisation Counterfeiting Trademark Africa

The importance of brand protection in Kenya

Protecting trademarks should be a priority when starting a new business. However, many entrepreneurs do not consider this, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. While some companies have great ideas and promising products, these can be reduced to nothing if they are not well protected and monitored. Besides providing legal security and the exclusive use of the brand, securing protection al...

July 21, 2020

Joana Teixeira

Opinion Sao Tome and Principe Trademark Application Trademark Africa

Sao Tome and Príncipe – tips to manage trademark portfolios during covid-19

Every financial year, applicants settle a budget for their trademark portfolio, which involves examining expenses for new applications and maintaining existing rights, prosecution, litigation, and disbursements, among other things. With the covid-19 pandemic, many rights holders are facing unprecedented financial difficulties, which makes them more conscious of costs. This in turn is leading to a...

July 14, 2020

Diana Pereira

Opinion Nigeria Trademark Law Africa

Pending trademark regulations in Nigeria

Nigeria is the seventh most populated country in the world and Africa's largest economy, with a gross domestic product estimated at $508 billion. The country produces oil and gas and is continuing to grow in other sectors (eg, agriculture, telecommunications and services). However, Nigeria still follows the 1965 Trademarks Act and the 1967 Trademarks Regulations, which are outdated and lack th...

July 7, 2020

Inês Monteiro Alves

Opinion Ghana Trademark Law Africa

Why the green economy is important to Ghana – and how certification marks contribute to it

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines the ‘green economy’ as “the low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive economy”. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development states that: “Green growth means fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental s...

July 1, 2020

Vera Albino

Jurisdiction