Enforcement

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 electropop song “Toy” that won last year’s Eurovision as the Israeli submission was embroiled in a copyright dispute with Universal Music Group because of rhythmic similarities with “Seven Nations Army” performed by the White Stripes and composed by Jack White.

The long-awaited renovation of Malawian’s Trademark Legal Framework is a reality since the October 1st 2018, as the New Act No. 2 of 2018, published on February 2nd 2018, has finally entered into force. The new law replaces a Trademark Act from 1957, and it will consider several international instruments regarding trademark protection.

This is a very positive change, as it means that the country will improve its Intellectual Property practices, as well as it will also be able to comply with the international trademark system.

The International Conference Respect for IP – Growing from the Tip of Africa took place in South Africa, and brought together government ministers and policymakers, judges and senior enforcement officials, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, businesses, the legal fraternity and consumer groups, to share their ideas about how to reach an effective and balanced Intellectual Property – IP enforcement system on the continent.

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.

It is important to state what a “pharmaceutical trademark” is. When I use the term, I do not intend to mean or create a new legal type of trademark. Nor do I refer directly to class 5 of the Nice Classification since it covers more than pharmaceutical products, such as “diapers for babies”. I use the term only for academic purposes, to identify trademarks where protection is given to drugs and medications and where the legal approach and solutions may be distinct from those of other products.

Marques Annual Conference took place in September and Inventa International couldn’t miss this event, that gathers experts to debate the latest issues concerning Intellectual Property.

This year the event was held in Paris, which provided the perfect scenario to address a wide range of branding related topics such as branding, design and luxury goods.

EU Copyright Reform, Trade Secrets Directive, UDRP Reform and Brexit were also on the agenda. 

After 61 years of no substantial revisions to Malawi’s trademark legal framework, 2016 was the year when a new and fresh trademark Bill has been finally drafted and formally published in the country’s Government Gazette in order to notify the public that the matters subjected in the diploma would be up for debate in Malawi’s Parliament.

The Portuguese State was acquitted by the Intellectual Property Court regarding the court case where the inventor Manuel Londreira claimmed plagiarism of the Fiscal Equity program with the creation of the “e-fatura” system.

In 2011, Manuel Londreira presented the Fiscal Equity program to the then prime minister, José Sócrates. In 2015, he formally accused the State of plagiarism of his program by creating the “e-fatura” system.

John Steinbeck, in one of his works, questioned "Without our past, how will we know it´s us?"  João de Barros also said "the man without memory has the understanding of little boy".

The preservation of our past, made of narrations and expositions of facts and memorable events, is a common concern for as long as memory exists. Characterized by historical feats, it is also externalized by artistic forms, namely traditional cultural expressions.