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Trademark licensing in Africa: inside three key jurisdictions

With Africa proving a particularly lucrative region for brands seeking licensing opportunities, we examine what rights holders need to know about trademark licences in three key jurisdictions from across the continent

21 Aug 2019

From Jumia to Ozon: the regional e-commerce sites that rights holders need to be policing

Outside of North America and China, new ecommerce marketplaces are springing up at an increasing rate. As these regional platforms grow, infringers have swarmed to them in response to the global platforms’ growing anti-counterfeiting efforts.

14 Aug 2019

Warning issued over brand name squatting in Nigeria: how to fight back

While brands are long used to the scourge of trademark squatting in a number of jurisdictions, it can be easy to overlook the challenge posed by companies trading off their name. A legal expert in Nigeria warns that the latter is a significant threat.

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25 Oct 2019

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

A new tribunal has recently been inaugurated with a view to accelerating opposition proceedings in Nigeria. Read more

1 Oct 2019

Trademark licensing in Africa: an A-Z whistle-stop tour

With Africa proving to be a particularly lucrative region for brands seeking licensing opportunities, we examine what rights holders need to know about trademark licences from a swathe of nations across the continent. Read more

14 Aug 2019

Nigerian Trademark Registry: recent developments expected to benefit IP system

Developments that have taken place at the Nigerian Trademark Registry over the past few months have been widely welcomed by the trademark community. Among other things, it is hoped that the establishment of the new Trademark Tribunal will speed up opposition proceedings. Read more

29 Jul 2019

New dawn in Nigeria: evolution of the trademark ecosystem in Africa’s biggest economy

Nigeria has long been a challenging jurisdiction in which to obtain and enforce registered trademark rights. Recent changes represent significant and positive steps forward, as issues are finally being addressed. Read more

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Anti-counterfeiting

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24 May 2018

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Nigeria

Nigeria has no specific anti-counterfeiting law – at least, not a broad one that covers all types of goods and all species of anti-counterfeiting. Hence, the fight against counterfeits involves the creative application of the various laws that affect rights holders in one way or another. Read more

22 Feb 2018

Good news for rights holders: SON and NAFDAC enter into partnership to tackle fake and substandard products

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control have entered into a partnership to tackle and combat fake and substandard products in the country. Read more

27 Sep 2017

Proposed life sentences for counterfeiters in Nigeria hailed as “a welcome development”

A bill in Nigeria has proposed a series of amendments to the country’s counterfeiting legislation, including life sentences for those convicted of selling certain types of counterfeit products. Read more

25 Sep 2017

NAFDAC proposes life sentences for counterfeiters

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has recently submitted a bill to Parliament seeking to amend the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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25 Oct 2019

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

A new tribunal has recently been inaugurated with a view to accelerating opposition proceedings in Nigeria. Read more

14 Aug 2019

Nigerian Trademark Registry: recent developments expected to benefit IP system

29 Jul 2019

New dawn in Nigeria: evolution of the trademark ecosystem in Africa’s biggest economy

12 Jun 2019

Protecting IP in Africa’s free trade environment: a “monumental task” for negotiators

A free trade area spanning the continent of Africa is a step closer to becoming reality, with 7 July announced as the date of official launch. We look at the range of IP challenges this will create. Read more

Goverment/policy

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18 Oct 2018

Prioritising trademarks in business: the Nigeria Air saga

The failed launch of Nigeria Air by the country’s federal government shows the importance of securing a trademark registration prior to commencing branding and marketing efforts. Read more

21 Feb 2017

Progress at last - Industrial Property Commission Bill passes second reading in Parliament

On January 19 2017 the Industrial Property Commission Bill passed its second reading at the House of Representatives. This is a major development which takes the country one step closer to the long-awaited bill becoming law in Nigeria. The bill represents a complete overhaul of the current system and will harmonise all the IP laws and bodies in the country. Read more

IP offices

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24 Jul 2019

New dawn for trademarks in Nigeria – all eyes are on regime overhaul

IP protection in Africa’s largest economy is undergoing major changes, as Nigeria’s new Trademarks Registry launches a set of ambitious plans to ensure that the country’s trademark regime is fit for purpose in the globalised world. Read more

28 Mar 2019

Good news for trademark owners and professionals as first-ever registry case report is released

In a welcome development for trademark owners, lawyers and agents, the Nigerian Trademark Registry has announced the release of the first-ever compendium of opposition rulings delivered by the Trademarks Tribunal. Read more

24 Oct 2018

Leadership restructuring at the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry – key changes highlighted

Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission has created separate offices for the following positions: registrar of trademarks, registrar of patents and designs and director of administration. Read more

15 Dec 2017

Trump's USPTO nominee confirmed, victory for Louboutin, and significant changes at Nigerian IP registry: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we report why Louboutin's red sole mark was declared ‘well known’ in India, upcoming changes at Nigeria’s trademark registry, and much more. Read more

Online

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19 Feb 2018

'.ng' registrations on the up, but government agency urges cyber patriotism

The National Information Technology Development Agency has called upon government and private sector organisations to use Nigerian data centres, arguing that it would facilitate "reductions in cost and capital flight". Read more

Portfolio management

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15 Jan 2019

Court of Appeal deviates from 'first to register' rule and protects foreign brand owner

In a significant victory for brand owners, Nigeria’s Court of Appeal has deviated from the ‘first to register’ rule and held that the true owner of the mark KASEA was a Chinese company which was not a party to the proceedings. Read more

16 May 2017

Trademark Registry publishes new Trademark Journal

The Trademark Registry has released the new Trademark Journal entitled Volume 1, Issue 1 – the first journal to be published in more than a year. The registry has provided no information as to why the journal advertises only applications filed through the IPAS system, or whether a separate journal for e-filings will be published in the near future. Read more

9 May 2017

Confusion over QLINK’s rightful owner

Confusion over the rightful owner of trademark QLINK has arisen as a result of Nigeria’s first-to-file rule. Brand owners seeking to rely on trademark registration in Nigeria must be aware that the country follows the first-to-file rule not only for patents, but trademarks as well. Read more

Trademark law

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20 Mar 2019

“A game changer” – Nigeria trademark environment improves following release of opposition compendium

Nigeria’s IP office is releasing its first-ever compendium of oppositions rulings, which one local practitioner tells WTR will ensure local and international brand owners have sufficient precedent for trademark-related actions. Read more

11 May 2018

Counterfeiting in Africa: part two of an A-Z guide

In part two of our A-Z guide to the anti-counterfeiting framework across Africa, we look at problems and solutions from Nigeria to Zambia. Read more

9 May 2018

New Trademark Bill catches Nigerian stakeholders off guard

In a move that came as a surprise to most stakeholders, Nigeria’s National Assembly Senate Committee on Trade and Investment has held a public hearing for Bill SB 357, which would repeal the current Trademark Act. Read more

5 Mar 2018

Victory for foreign brand owners: courts rule in favour of Piaggio and Toyota in separate judgments

In two recent judgments, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have found in favour of a large international brand owner and against a local company. Read more

latest

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

Trademark licensing in Africa: an A-Z whistle-stop tour

Nigerian Trademark Registry: recent developments expected to benefit IP system

New dawn in Nigeria: evolution of the trademark ecosystem in Africa’s biggest economy

Twitter

24 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @INTA: Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s trademark application for “Sussex Royal” has received a notice of threatened opposition, which co… Read more

24 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine NEW: Four more notices of threatened opposition have been lodged today against the SUSSEX ROYAL trademark applicati… https://t.co/7VCt4F59sH Read more

24 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine Not blocked – Meghan, Harry and a tale of trademark misreporting. https://t.co/kwVKJRoWUS #SussexRoyal #Megxit https://t.co/t4UHOR1DMB Read more

24 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @BrandsAndStuff: Original notice of threatened opposition withdrawn against SUSSEX ROYAL #trademark application, but four more filed tod… Read more