Prosecution

In the heart of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes but is also emerging as a hub for innovation within its dynamic manufacturing sector. With a keen focus on fostering a culture of innovation, the Mauritian government has taken significant steps to put the nation at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and processes. It is in this context that various government initiatives and programs have been set up to encourage research and development, taking advantage of the favorable geographical location.

It is well known that patents can be granted for inventions (products, processes or methods and practical applications or uses) that are novel, inventive, and provided with industrial applicability.

However, in Europe, as in many other jurisdictions, certain types of inventions are not considered patentable. To this end, the European Patent Convention (EPC) sets forth the patentability criteria and Article 53 outlines its exceptions, that include:

The European Patent Office (EPO) has introduced additional fee reductions for the filing of European patents by applicants classified as Micro-entities. This includes Microenterprises, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Universities, Non-Profit Organisations, Public Research Organisations, and Natural Persons. The new set of reductions in official fees will come into effect from April 1, 2024.

An article on December 29, 2023, in the Daily News reported that Tanzania has gained international recognition for its efforts to bolster its capacity to administer justice and handle disputes in the realm of IP.

The Director of the Libyan Trademarks Office has issued an official decision, marked as No. 335 of 2024, aimed at streamlining trademark regulations in the country.

This significant decision mandates the cancellation of all published trademarks that have not been renewed within the legal renewal deadlines as delineated in Article 1257 of the Commercial Activity Law No. 23 of 2010. This article outlines the following vital provisions concerning trademark protection:

The AIPPI Spring Meeting was held in Madrid, Spain, from February 22 to 23. Tiago Reis Nobre and Vítor Palmela Fidalgo attended the 2024 edition in Meliá Madrid Princesa Hotel, which featured a variety of panel sessions on relevant topics proposed by the Standing Committees.

The Mozambican Industrial Property Institute (IPI) has recently announced updates to its official fees, reflecting changes in the landscape of IP protection. These changes, effective from February 28, 2024, cover various services including registration, renewal, alterations, transmissions, and legal procedures such as oppositions and responses to provisional refusals.

Upon analyzing the fee evolution, significant changes are evident:

On 14 February 2024, the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade announced important changes to the trademark registration procedures, which will be enforced starting 1 May 2024. The new regulations include the following key points:

• Powers of Attorney (POA) used for trademark prosecution will now have a validity period of one year from the signing date.

Trademarks are signs that identify the commercial origin of certain goods and services and distinguish them from those of other companies. However, while this simple sentence explains their intended function, identifying a trademark isn't as straightforward.

Words and symbols are the first types of trademarks that we can imagine. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Trademarks can be found in colours, sounds, shapes and even patterns. This is not an exhaustive exemplification.

Mainly, a trademark must be distinctive.

On February 8, Sofitel Brussels Europe hosted the INTA's "Stakeholder Dialogue: Brands in a Sustainable World" providing a platform to discuss the role of brands in driving positive environmental and social change. Topics included the sustainable destruction and recycling of counterfeit products and incorporating sustainable values into brand identity.