ARIPO Holds 48th Administrative Council Session in Lesotho, Highlights Protocol Ratifications and Strategic Initiatives

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) convened its 48th Administrative Council Session from October 28 to November 1, 2024, in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho. The event brought together delegates from 21 member states alongside observer representatives from Burundi and South Sudan.

The session opened with welcome remarks from Mrs. Mamoretlo Mohapi, Registrar General of the Kingdom of Lesotho. She was followed by an address from ARIPO Director General Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, who emphasized the Secretariat's commitment to awareness creation and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts aim to promote the uptake of ARIPO Protocols and enhance the Organization's visibility among member states and stakeholders.

Honourable Richard Ramoeletsi, Minister of Law and Justice of Lesotho, served as the Guest of Honour and officially inaugurated the session.

Representing Adams & Adams, Partner Jameel Hamid, Associate Marile Fouche, and Africa Practice Manager Menzi Maboyi attended the meeting. Although based in South Africa, Adams & Adams operates directly with ARIPO through its Mozambique office, leveraging Mozambique’s membership in ARIPO. The firm has engaged with the ARIPO Registry since 2009 and remains one of the largest users of the ARIPO patent system.

A significant highlight was the announcement that on August 30, 2024, the Republic of Namibia deposited its Instrument of Ratification for the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights. This ratification marks a critical step in expanding copyright protections within the ARIPO framework.

The Council also received confirmation that the Arusha Protocol will enter into force on November 24, 2024. This follows Ghana’s ratification in 2023, joining Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde as the four countries to have ratified the Protocol to date.

Efforts to engage observer states continue, with ARIPO encouraging the Republic of Burundi, Republic of South Sudan, Arab Republic of Egypt, and Democratic Republic of Congo to consider membership. This outreach aims to broaden regional cooperation and harmonize intellectual property protections.

The Council noted a decline in trademark filings compared to the previous year, attributing this trend to economic downturns in some developed economies worldwide. This observation underscores the impact of global economic conditions on intellectual property activities within the ARIPO region.

A comprehensive review of ARIPO Protocols is underway, to be conducted in phases. The initial phase will focus on the Harare Protocol and its Regulations. The Technical Committee on Industrial Property is scheduled to review proposed amendments in November 2024. Following this, a proposal will be submitted to the Council for consideration and potential adoption during an Extraordinary Session.

Looking ahead, the Forty-Ninth Session of the Administrative Council is planned to be hosted by Ghana, with dates to be announced in the coming year.

During the session, Adams & Adams representatives engaged with key officials, including Mrs. Mamoretlo Mohapi, Registrar General of Lesotho, and Mr. Abdoulie Colley, Registrar General of The Gambia, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

This session reinforced ARIPO’s strategic direction in enhancing intellectual property governance across member states, promoting protocol adoption, and addressing challenges in trademark filings amid shifting economic landscapes.

The content herein serves as a general guide on ARIPO’s recent developments. Stakeholders are advised to seek specialized advice tailored to their specific circumstances.