Enforcement

It is manifest the growing interest of mankind in disruptive themes as Artificial Intelligence (AI). As we have been analyzing, this theme has increased its significance as the inventions reach new and inspiring outcomes. This article intends to analyze if there have been a growing tendency on patent applications related to AI in the European Patents Office or if, besides all the euphoria, we are still far away from a technological boom particulary inventive.

Organized by The General Tax Administration (AGT) of Angola and with the cooperation of the World Customs Organization (WCO), last February it took place the workshop on "Techniques for Identifying Counterfeit Products and Risk Analysis" held in Luanda.

If you are remotely familiarized with Ariana Grande’s image the following things immediately come to mind: sleek back pony tail, bunny ears headband and song lyrics turned into amazing catch phrases such as Thank you, next or Gee thanks, just bought it.

The Pop-singer, who took over the year with her latest album “Thank You, Next”, which lead her to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 11 weeks in 2019, reached full stardom since the beginning of her career on Nickelodeon in 2009.

Bemanya Twebaze, The Registrar General of Uganda Registration Services Bureau has just been elected President of the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement.

The election of Bemanya, that has previously served as President of Paris Union Assembly of WIPO, is a remarkable achievement for Uganda.

Counterfeit products are everywhere nowadays, filing the markets with twin scourges,  often very similar, or even fairly identical to the originals, with almost certainly lower quality but much cheaper, which makes them very understandably more attractive for consumers that have no means to purchase the real deal – the first generation goods.

The real impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the various fields of Law is still largely unknown. However, as stated in the European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2017 with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics (2015/2103(INL))  (v. 015/2103(INL)), no one doubts that this industrial revolution “is likely to leave no stratum of society untouched”, which is why is “vitally important for the legislature to consider its legal and ethical implications and effects, without stifling innovation” (vid. p. 3, B).

Kenya has given a major step concerning anti-counterfeiting by approving a Customs Recordal Application system. This procedure will be made possible by an amendment to the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Act No. 13 of 2008.

The 97th PTMG’s Autumn Conference took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The event focused on Trademark Protection in the Pharma Industry.

The international use of Nonproprietary Names (INN) was one of the issues that stood out at this event. The presentation of case studies was highlighted by the participants as a plus of this edition, that counted with our attendance.

The online system enters in force on 18th December of 2017.

On 18th December, the online registrations for all trademarks, patents, renewals and recordals (change of address, name and assignment) will enter in force in Tanzania, meaning that the manual system for filing applications at the Registry will no longer be applicable.

By having an online system, the same will ease the workload at the Registry and the time for registration will be faster.

The Ministry of Trade of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced an increase of about 15% on the country’s official fees regarding intelectual property, that covers trademark, patent and design registrations.

If you wish to know more about this matter, please contact us at africa@inventa.com .