Patents

The Intellectual Property Department of the Economy Services Directorate of Macau, SAR, announced through Administrative Regulation No. 45/2020, published in the Official Gazette of the Macau Special Administrative Region No. 52, Series I, of December 28, 2020, the change of its official name to Economic and Technological Development Bureau.

Vítor Sérgio Moreira, Patent Engineer at Inventa International​, provide a case study on utility models in Angola, Brazil, Mozambique and Portugal.

The African Organisation for Intellectual Property (OAPI) IP system is ruled by the Bangui Agreement, which was amended in 2019. This has resulted in changes to the IP system for French-speaking countries in Africa. The main alterations are to the prosecution and litigation procedures with regard to trademarks, patents and administration.

Inventa International recently reinforced its team with the entry of Marisol Cardoso, as Patent Consultant, and Helga Mota, for the role of Paralegal.

With the hiring of Marisol Cardoso, Inventa International intends to reinforce the consultancy specialized in patent protection to its clients. Marisol has a solid career in Intellectual Property, worked for more than a decade as a Technical Patent Consultant. Currently, she is also attending the Master in Economics and Management of Science, Technology and Innovation at ISEG, in Lisbon.

While businesses are exposed to significant challenges in Africa, Daniel Reis Nobre and Inês Monteiro Alves untangle IP misconceptions surrounding the continent.

Background

After COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Botswana, the government decreed a new lockdown, since July, 31. Therefore, the Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) IP Division is closed and will not receive any electronic filings and payments for all patents, trademarks, industrial designs and all other IP applications, until further notice.

- Previous applications: This procedure also applies to applications that have been received before the closure and will be processed only after the office reopens.

Inventa International has been recognized by the Leaders League in 2020 Portugal Ranking in 3 categories: Best Firms for Trademark Prosecution, Best Firms for Patent Prosecution and Best Law Firms for IP Litigation.

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.

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.