

Scottish Whisky Now Protected as a Geographical Indicator in 18 African Countries.
The retail market in Africa is getting more sophisticated, as countries with a growing middle class show increased interest in high end...

São Tomé and Principe - 10th Contracting Party to the Banjul Protocol
Sao Tome acceded to the Banjul Protocol on 27 November 2015. It will become a contracting state and eligible for designation as of 27...


Maasai lose 5 Year Battle to Revert Land Sale and Protect their Indigenous Knowledge
On 27th October 2015 the High Court of Tanzania, handing down its judgement in the case lodged by the Maasai of Northern Tanzania to...


OAPI accedes to the Singapore Treaty
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has issued a notification that the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI)...

Key Themes and Drivers for Africa in 2016
NKC African Economics, a South African company of which the majority shareholder is independent global advisory firm Oxford Economics,...


Zambia to Strengthen IP Protection with 5 New Bills
President Edgar Lungu of Zambia at the official opening of the 15th session of the council of Ministers of the African Regional...


Libyan Trade Mark Office Sets December 31st Deadline For Late Renewal of Trade Marks.
Rouse Africa has become aware of an informal, verbal notice that appears to have been released by the Libyan Trade Marks Office (LTMO)...


Protection of Trade Marks and Service Marks through OAPI
The African Intellectual Property Organization (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle – OAPI) was formed in terms of the...


WTO Extends Drug Patent Exemptions for Least Developed Countries
On 6 November 2015 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) TRIPS Council agreed to extend a waiver already in place in favour of Least...


A Brief Look at OAPI and the Madrid System.
OAPI acceded to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks in December 2014 and the Protocol entered into force on 5...