Region-focused IP developments curated by the IIPLA newsroom, including policy shifts, litigation, brand disputes, patent activity, and enforcement updates.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) via SMEDAN, aiming to empower SMEs by facilitating intellectual property protection. This initiative seeks to transform Nigerian businesses’ ideas and innovations into commercial assets, foste…
IIPLA reviews the trademarks implications of Trademarks, Tanzania, Managing IP, with practical notes for Europe IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
As African jurisdictions tighten tax rules on cross-border intellectual property (IP) transactions, companies must carefully consider local substance requirements, specific IP tax regimes, and anti-avoidance measures. Key examples include Mauritius’ substance rules, Kenya’s Significant Economic Presence (SEP) tax on I…
ECOWAS has publicly backed the upcoming launch of the ECO currency, a significant step toward regional economic integration. Concurrently, the organization has issued strong condemnations against terrorism and xenophobia, emphasizing the need for peace and unity among member states.
During a regional forum supported by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization, The Gambia’s Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) focal person, Mr. Colley, emphasized the importance of integrating intellectual property protection into business s…
IIPLA reviews the patents implications of Patents, Quarterly IP Newsletter May, June, with practical notes for Africa IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
Nigeria’s creative and technology industries have long struggled to convert intellectual property into capital due to lenders’ demand for physical collateral. The proposed Intellectual Property Securitisation Framework seeks to recognize copyrights, patents, trademarks, and licensing revenues as valuable assets for fi…
STL has won a decisive patent dispute against Fujikura Ltd. after the European Patent Office’s Technical Board of Appeal revoked Fujikura’s European Patent EP 3796060 in full. The ruling, issued on June 24, 2026, settles the UK patent conflict in STL’s favor and strengthens its intellectual property position across Eu…
Yiwu, China’s manufacturing powerhouse, has evolved beyond traditional contract manufacturing to become a key global supplier of World Cup-related products. Fueled by a strategic embrace of intellectual property rights and rapid supply chain capabilities, Yiwu merchants are now shaping global football merchandise mark…
IIPLA reviews the litigation implications of Litigation, AfCFTA Chief Honoured, Advancing Africa, with practical notes for Africa IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
IIPLA reviews the patents implications of Patents, S.W.A.T. Exiles, Sony Pictures Television, with practical notes for Middle East IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
IIPLA reviews the patents implications of Patents, South African, POLB, with practical notes for Africa IP teams monitoring risk, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy.
In response to rising concerns over AI-generated misinformation during Kenya's politically charged period, a training programme in Mombasa County guided journalists through intellectual property rights, data protection, and mental health strategies. Legal experts emphasized the importance of verifying AI-created conte…
At a recent training in Mombasa, Kenyan journalists and content creators were urged to enhance their understanding of intellectual property laws, prioritize mental well-being, and navigate the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The Hadithi za Wanahabari workshop, hosted by Baraza Media Lab and MMS Ad…
Roland Berger, the European-rooted strategy consultancy, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Middle East as it celebrates 20 years in the region. The firm reported its strongest financial year ever, surpassing €1 billion in global revenues for the first time since its 1967 founding. With offices across Bahrain, UAE,…
The Intellectual Property Club of Maretha International Preparatory High School secured first place at the Regional Intellectual Property Club Competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe. President Boakai honored the students for their exemplary performance, highlighting the alignment with national development goals focused…
The prolonged legal battle over the 'Please Call Me' concept highlights a vital lesson for Africa’s emerging innovators: knowing what you own is essential to securing recognition and economic value. As the continent’s youth drive innovation across sectors, protecting intellectual property must become a foundational bu…
Despite Afrobeats’ rise as a dominant global music genre, African creators, particularly in Nigeria, are not fully benefiting financially due to weak intellectual property systems and foreign ownership models. At the BusinessDay Creative Entertainment Summit 2026, experts emphasized the need for formalized IP registra…
Kenya is witnessing a significant shift in the legal understanding of royalties, with authorities and courts adopting a broader definition. This evolution affects how royalties are classified for licensing and tax purposes, influencing businesses engaged in intellectual property transactions within the country.
Letlhokwa Mpedi and Thebe Ikalafeng emphasize Africa's vulnerability to AI-enabled cultural extraction due to lack of protective laws. They advocate for AI-specific intellectual property rights and collective regulatory action under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to preserve indigenous knowledge and crea…
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched an Intellectual Property Benchbook tailored for Nigeria’s judiciary, marking the first Sub-Saharan African national contribution to WIPO’s Global IP Benchbook Series. Created in partnership with Nigeria’s National Judicial Institute, the Benchbook provid…
Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, emphasized strengthening intellectual property (IP) legal frameworks and institutional awareness in Ghana’s creative and manufacturing sectors during a workshop organized by Fashion Forum Africa. The event, a precursor to the Alternative Fashion Fabric…
As South African companies accelerate digital innovation and regional trade, Adams & Adams observes a significant surge in demand for intellectual property protection. The firm notes that IP assets are now central to business value and growth, with trademarks and patents becoming critical for companies entering compet…
On June 1, 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, convened a key stakeholders meeting in Abuja to discuss accelerating the country’s innovation system. The event gathered senior government officials, private sector le…
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