Industrial Property

Inventa offers a compilation of articles, authored by our team, on some relevant topics that marked the field of innovation, trademarks, patents and IP rights, mainly in Africa, Europe and Asia.

The year 2021 has been in the spotlight since the previous year. With expectation, in almost every part of the planet, it was a year to strengthen ambitions and achieve objectives, as we all try to adjust to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Intellectual property

Update depending on the information provided. Covers the jurisdictions where Inventa International operates.

Africa

Algeria - National Institute of Industrial Property is open but with limited service hours. More info.

The Republic of Mauritius deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Lusaka Agreement of December 9, 1976, establishing the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) with the Director General of ARIPO on September 25, 2020.

Under Article XVI (3) of the Lusaka Agreement, the Republic of Mauritius is now a member of ARIPO as of this 25th September 2020.

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 territory.

The majority of IP practitioners have had to adapt their routines to the current pandemic and create new working habits. This has meant remote working, which is running smoothly thanks to the availability of online tools and access to IP asset management platforms. Many IP offices have had to implement different practices, which has been challenging as some cases require immediate response. This article focuses on the obstacles raised by the covid-19 pandemic with regard to the administrative processes of IP rights in Cape Verde.

Vitor Palmela Fidalgo of Inventa International gives us an overview of “genuine use” in Angola’s latest industrial property Bill.

On May 18 and 19, 2020, the 73rd Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) took place, which, considering the circumstances we find ourselves, was held for the first time virtually. This Assembly resulted in the long-awaited Resolution that aims to provide a global response to Covid-19. The Resolution was co-sponsored by more than 130 countries and adopted by consensus.

Zanzibar’s Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA) recently introduced several changes to its practice, which are set to have an impact on the country’s IP landscape.

The most important amendment is arguably the introduction of an online registration system. It aims to accelerate application proceedings, although this may take a while to be fully effective as it will require automating all existing processes. Implementing a paperless office is a positive, environmentally friendly decision.

Angola is one of many countries that recognises IP rights as an important contribution to a country’s social and economic development. It is a member of WIPO and adopted the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Further, Law 3/92 (published in the Official Gazette (9) on 28 February 1992) was the first piece of specific IP legislation in the country.

The following registration process for a trademark in Angola is simple and similar to procedures in many other jurisdictions: