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Thomas Cook brand relaunched; ‘rip off’ Teddy Fresh clash; Lady A legal fight continues – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at industry groups teaming up to fight pirates, a call for fake pharmaceutical stories, IP Australia announcing a new indigenous knowledge initiative, and much more.

1 Oct 2019

Apple MEMOJI lawsuit, Malaysia joins Madrid System, and TMview adds OAPI: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Huawei filing a lawsuit against a rival Chinese mobile maker, POW! Entertainment hitting back over Stan Lee lawsuit, Alt Legal acquiring MarkTend, and much more.

23 Apr 2019

Turkey trademark uplift, INPI announces Africa IP adviser, and China counterfeit crackdown: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at INTA and the National Trade Foundation for Education partnering up to spread the anti-counterfeiting message, a study highlights how brands need to showcase their authenticity, and much more.

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1 May 2019

OAPI: change is on the way

The African Intellectual Property Organisation’s recent changes to the Bangui Agreement are due to have a significant effect on trademark rights. Although the revised agreement is not yet in force, IP practitioners should start familiarising themselves with the new system Read more

15 Oct 2018

“A good move for the development of IP on the African continent” – ARIPO, OAPI and WIPO pledge more cooperation

The three organisations have signed an agreement pledging increased technical cooperation, and is a continuation of rising IP collaboration in Africa. Read more

18 Sep 2018

Most relevant brands in China, OAPI hosts IP celebration, and Trademark Licensing Protection Act in the spotlight: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at the IP office of Chile extending deadlines for Japanese applicants, the WHOIS reform group at loggerheads, Indonesia stepping up anti-piracy efforts, and much more. Read more

24 Jul 2018

“Don’t panic” – new entrants to Madrid Protocol give mixed feedback on their experience since accession

Law firm practitioners in jurisdictions that have adopted the Madrid Protocol in recent years have shared their experience in an exclusive survey. While some praised the system, other were scathing about its impact.

Brand management

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14 Nov 2016

Cash prizes for distinctive trademarks? OAPI urges IP offices to reward innovative use of brands

The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) held its first annual Brand Awards recently, in which cash prizes and trademark filing vouchers were given to local brands judged to be distinctive. Talking to World Trademark Review, OAPI’s director of legal affairs and cooperation, Maurice Batanga, says that the initiative has proved effective – and encourages other IP offices to consider a similar approach to promote innovative use of trademarks.

Enforcement and Litigation

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6 Jul 2017

Exclusive survey finds OAPI agents broadly optimistic but concerns raised over frequent errors, slow examinations and soaring trade in fakes

An independent survey conducted by World Trademark Review has assessed the sentiment of agents accredited by the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) and feedback was decidedly mixed.

20 Sep 2016

Cameroon criminalises IP infringement

Cameroon has made it clear that it takes the infringement of IP rights very seriously and has brought into force a new law that amends its Penal Code, bringing IP infringement firmly into the realm of criminal law.

15 Aug 2016

Venturing into Africa: law firm opportunity and risk in an evolving IP landscape

For this week’s blog post from the WTR 1000 research team, it is timely to consider the current state of trademark protection in Africa.

11 May 2015

Anti-Madrid collective vows to challenge brand owners’ trademark applications

The continuing tension between the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) and accredited agents in the region who oppose its recent accession to the Madrid Protocol shows no sign of abating.

Government/Policy

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4 Dec 2017

OAPI steps up efforts to expand scope of geographical indications across sub-Saharan Africa

OAPI has launched a new programme in an ongoing effort to introduce and expand geographical indications (GIs) across its 17 member states. This is the first major project from OAPI’s new director general.

21 Apr 2017

OAPI in “period of transition” as new director general appointed; anti-Madrid collective “goes into hiding”

The African Intellectual Property Organisation has confirmed to World Trademark Review that its director general, Paulin Edou Edou, will be leaving at the end of July, with his successor beginning in August.

IP Offices

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13 Mar 2018

Former OAPI head accused of wrongdoing while in office; court reverses suspensions related to anti-Madrid collective

The former director general of OAPI, Paulin Edou Edou, has been accused of signing his own accreditation to be an OAPI trademark agent while still in office. It comes as a court reverses the suspension of IP attorneys for allegedly protesting OAPI’s accession to the Madrid Protocol.

29 Jan 2016

OAPI suspends law firm; suspended agent alleges ‘dictatorship’ OAPI is stifling anti-Madrid Protocol sentiment

The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) has suspended two IP attorneys in Cameroon, and in turn prohibited parties from using their law firm for any IP services in proceedings before it, in what one of the lawyers contends is a continuation of a bitter battle between the organisation and a group of agents who claim that its accession to the Madrid Protocol was implemented illegally.

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4 Dec 2008

Cameroon introduces third-level domain names

NETCOM, the registry responsible for Cameroon's country-code top-level domain, has introduced third-level ‘.cm’ domain names. Following a sunrise period and a sunrise challenge period, registrations under ‘.co.cm’, ‘.com.cm’ and ‘.net.cm’ have been open to the general public from November 15 2008 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Twitter

21 Sep 2021

@WTR_Alerts RT @DreyfusLawFirm: A new company called The Dead Trademark Agglomeration offers the possibility to acquire an expired USPTO #trademark.It… Read more

21 Sep 2021

@WTR_Alerts China - Legal Update Alert: The Chinese Olympic Committee recently publicly reprimanded trademark squatters for att… https://t.co/JKtVMoM8bZ Read more

21 Sep 2021

@WTR_Alerts Don't miss the 25th anniversary edition of the @BrandFinance Global Forum, happening on 30th Sept, 28th Oct and 25t… https://t.co/O6WOI6PQc1 Read more

19 Sep 2021

@WTR_Alerts RT @Catchword: Should they just keep "Washington Football Team"? Descriptive naming is often the best strategy, though has never been app… Read more

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