IP Strategy

The creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which includes the implementation of an IP protocol, is expected to solve most of the issues present in many African countries’ IP framework. 

In her new article, published in IP Stars, Vera Albino provides an overview on what the continent’s IP regime could look like, what AfCFTA's contribution to IP rights issues could be and what place could be reserved in the agreement for traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

After some uncertainty due to the covid-19 pandemic, the first Angolan Intellectual Property Congress is now confirmed to take place both physically and online on 23 and 24 April 2021. It will be backed by the new Angolan Intellectual Law Association (AADI) – located in Angola's Catholic University – and aims to teach attendees about the Angolan Industrial Property Law, with a particular focus on trademarks.

The receipt of an official notification requesting the payment of registration and certificate fees is one of the most eagerly awaited moments in the trademark registration process in Cape Verde. It means that an application has passed the Cape Verde Patent and Trademark Office’s (PTO) substantial examination phase and has fulfilled all the requirements for grant. As such, the applicant is just a step away from receiving a registration certificate. However, this is also a critical time for rights holders to rethink their strategy.

With the end of the transition period, on December 31, 2020, it is important to review the actual changes concerning Industrial Property assets filed in the European Union.

We have elaborated briefly some relevant points:
 

Registrations granted until 31.12.2020

Supported by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Commission, the creation of a European fund for European SMEs has been announced. With a global value of 20 million euros, this SME fund, inserted in the framework of the EUIPO “Ideas Powered for Business” initiatives, is designed to help small and medium-sized companies in developing their IP strategies and protection of their rights at national, regional or EU level. Applications open on 11 January 2021.

Despite the United Republic of Tanzania – which comprises Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar – frequently stating that innovation is a key driver of economic development and exceeding expectations for its innovation development this year, trademark owners have expressed uncertainty as to the future of IP protection in the light of the presidential elections that took place on 28 October 2020.

The city of Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, once again hosted the China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), one of the largest technology fair in China. 

The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) handles trademark registrations for the following – mainly francophone – member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Comoro Islands, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Every financial year, applicants settle a budget for their trademark portfolio, which involves examining expenses for new applications and maintaining existing rights, prosecution, litigation, and disbursements, among other things. With the covid-19 pandemic, many rights holders are facing unprecedented financial difficulties, which makes them more conscious of costs. This in turn is leading to a more considered analysis of assets that are deemed to be crucial and worth keeping.

Below are some tips to minimise trademark portfolio costs in Sao Tome and Príncipe.

The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances is a multilateral treaty which regulates copyright related rights for audiovisual performances and expands the performers' rights. It was adopted on 26 June 2012 by the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances of the World Intellectual Property Organization, in which 156 WIPO member states, six intergovernmental, and six non-governmental organizations participated. Forty-eight countries signed the treaty on 26 June, followed by 19 other countries in 2012 and 2013.