Trademarks

Libya has announced significant changes to its trademark renewal fees and procedures under Resolution no. 586 of 2024, issued on November 27, 2024. These changes affect both foreign and domestic businesses, introducing higher fees and more complex requirements. Under the new decree, the renewal fee for trademarks in Libya has seen a dramatic increase. The renewal cost is now set at US$2,000 per year, which brings the total renewal fee for a 10-year term to US$20,000.

The global luxury market is expanding, and Africa is increasingly becoming a key area of interest for high-end brands. The continent’s growing middle class, economic diversification, and burgeoning urban centers present significant opportunities for luxury brands to establish a presence. However, the protection of these brands requires robust IP strategies, particularly in markets where counterfeit goods and weak enforcement mechanisms remain prevalent.

The scope of the challenge

On February 3rd the application period for SME Fund began, an initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) with the aim of helping small and medium-sized enterprises with the protection of IP rights. The fund offers partial reimbursements for expenses related to:

• IP Scan / IP Enforcement: up to €810 (in Portugal)

• Trademarks and Designs: up to €700

• National Patents: up to €1.500

• European Patents: up to €2.500

• Plant Variety application: €1.500

The World Trademark Review (WTR) has announced the WTR1000 - The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals ranking for 2025, highlighting top trademarks firms and professionals worldwide for their excellence and expertise. 

We are proud to see Inventa once again as one of the top trademark leading firms in Portugal and Nigeria in the field of prosecution and strategy.

Portugal 

In recent years, the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights has become a significant concern across the African continent, as more businesses, companies, and entrepreneurs are looking for new opportunities to expand their businesses into the continent.

An important tool that can help protect these assets in Africa is the use of cautionary notices.

On November 12, 2024, the European Union (EU) General Court’s Fourth Board of Appeal issued its decision in case R 1165/2020-4. This case highlights the vital relationship between the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the judicial mechanisms of the EU, particularly the role of the General Court.

To continue the collaborative relationship between the Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the Institute of Vine and Wine (IVV), a new protocol was signed on 29 October 2024. This agreement aims to prevent trademark registrations that may cause conflict, and safeguard collective heritage by ensuring such terms remain tied to their rightful geographical origins and are not subject to exclusive appropriation.

Uganda’s intellectual property (IP) framework has undergone significant updates in recent years, including the introduction of new trademark regulations and efforts to control counterfeiting. However, despite these advancements, Uganda continues to face challenges in enforcement and efficiency. While its situation shares similarities with Tanzania in many aspects, it remains weaker compared to other bordering countries, particularly Kenya and Rwanda.

On November 16, Inventa Nigeria attended the Africa Startup Festival (ASF), a vibrant gathering of young professionals, founders and ambitious entrepreneurs from across the African continent. The ASF featured discussions on innovation, deal-making, and strategic collaboration within the startup ecosystem.

Likelihood of confusion is by far the most used ground for refusal in oppositions against European Union trademark (EUTM) applications.

It exists if there is a risk that the relevant public might believe that the goods or services in question come from the same undertaking or economically linked undertakings. Consequently, the ‘relevant public’ concept is a determinant for assessing the relative ground for refusal.