Prosecution

On November 14, 2023, Daniel Reis Nobre attended the INTA Leadership Meeting in Houston (Texas, EUA), joining other committee members of the International Trademark Association (INTA) to discuss key topics and emerging issues in intellectual property.

On November 16, 2023, the new European Regulation on GI protection for craft and industrial products (CIGIR) came into effect, applicable from December 1, 2025.

1. Introduction

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence has sparked significant changes across various sectors, including in the field of patent law. The ability of AI systems to develop new creations poses unique and challenging questions to the conventional structures of IP law. This article explores the implications of AI inventorship within the specific context of South African IP law, shedding light on the legal ambiguities and offering recommendations for future policy adaptations.

Angola continues to recognise IP rights as an important contribution to a country’s social and economic development and in the last IP Bulletin issued (4/2023), published statistics related to the years 2020 to 2022.

Overall, 2022 was marked by an increase in the request for protection of several rights of Industrial Property, where the demand levels for trademarks and other distinctive signs of trade were 23% higher than those recorded in 2021.

Tattoos are a form of artistic expression deeply rooted in human culture and are unquestionably works of art created by talented artists.

Each design is often customised to reflect the history, beliefs, culture, and personal tastes of the individual receiving it. Like any other form of art, tattoos are crafted with skill and imagination.

However, as tattoos gain recognition as an art form, a complex legal question arises: do tattoo artists hold copyright over their creations, and can they protect their designs from unauthorised reproduction or use?

The National Institute of Industrial Property of Angola (IAPI) has expanded its coverage, and since October 30, 2023, it has started to use and accept the list of terms from the Harmonized Database of Product Indications (HDBPI) in DesignClass, as well as the list of terms from the Harmonized Database for brand classification (HDB) in TMClass.

DesignClass/HDBPI allows for the searching and translation of product indications in 30 languages, while TMClass/HDB enables the searching and translation of classification terms in 37 languages.

Tiago Reis Nobre and Vítor Palmela Fidalgo represented our firm at the AIPPI 2023 World Congress in Istanbul. Throughout the four-day event, both actively engaged in numerous sessions spanning a wide range of IP topics. They connected with peers and friends from all over the globe, discussing the latest developments in IP from Europe and Africa.

Additionally, they had the chance to visit the ARIPO booth, where Inventa is proud to be a co-exhibitor, and was graciously hosted by Mr. John Marius Kagwa.

Product placement in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, presents a growing opportunity for brands and filmmakers. Acknowledged as a significant catalyst for brand recognition within the country, Vera Albino's analysis of this partnership also underscores the critical role of tailored legislation by Nigerian authorities.

Read here the full article. 

It is with pride that we share that Vitor Sérgio Moreira, Patent Manager at Inventa, has been recognized in the IP Stars ranking as a Notable Practitioner in Portugal.

IP Stars ranking is one of the leading directories that assess experienced firms and legal professionals in the categories of trademarks and contentious work in the field of Intellectual Property.

We also want to congratulate the other professionals recognized for their work!

Patents are legal instruments designed to safeguard IP and encourage innovation, as they grant patent owners exclusive rights to their inventions for a determined period, fostering an environment in which research and development can flourish.

Biological and genetic resources are often researched and collected, and the knowledge derived is applicable to useful products in several industry fields, such as agriculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.