Region-focused IP developments curated by the IIPLA newsroom, including policy shifts, litigation, brand disputes, patent activity, and enforcement updates.
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…
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…
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has uncovered a fraudulent listing of Clinton Ward Myburgh as a non-executive director with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). The company denies any association with Myburgh and has filed criminal charges including fraud, extortion, and misrepresentation w…
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…
Nigeria and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have agreed to intensify collaboration aimed at transforming Nigeria’s intellectual property assets into financial wealth. The partnership focuses on commercializing university research, supporting the creative economy, and expanding technical cooperation…
In April 2026, Taylor Swift’s company, TAS Rights Management, filed groundbreaking trademark applications with the USPTO to protect her spoken voice and a distinctive visual image from her Eras Tour. These filings represent an unprecedented use of trademark law to address the challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes…
Nigeria has inaugurated the first United Nations intellectual property office in Sub-Saharan Africa, located at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) headquarters. This development aims to enhance intellectual property awareness, protection, and cooperation across the region, positioning Nigeria as a pivotal…
Intellectual property stakeholders from across Africa will convene in Nairobi in November 2026 for the 7th edition of a pivotal summit focused on leveraging IP as a strategic economic asset. The event will explore practical implementation strategies to enhance trade, industrialisation, and the creative economy within…
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is inaugurating its first office in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in Abuja, Nigeria, marking a strategic milestone for the country’s intellectual property landscape. This development aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening IP protections, combating piracy, an…
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has reaffirmed its partnership with Mozambique to bolster intellectual property frameworks and innovation-led development. During a high-level visit, ARIPO’s Director-General Bemanya Twebaze met with President Daniel Francisco Chapo to discuss ongoing coo…
Nigeria has achieved notable reforms in its intellectual property (IP) framework, yet stakeholders highlight that maintaining and accelerating this progress is critical. The reforms aim to bolster innovation, protect creators, and attract investment, but challenges remain in implementation and enforcement. Industry le…
The Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, Madam Garmai Koboi, attended the 2026 Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Conference organized by ARIPO in Maseru, Lesotho. The conference focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and strengthening governance within African IP offi…
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has revised its guidelines on proprietary medicine names, clarifying the regulatory criteria for name approval focused on patient safety and public health. This process operates independently from trade mark registration under South Africa’s Trade Marks A…
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, has opened applications for the 2026 Women Agripreneurs IP Capacity Enhancement and Mentorship Scheme (WACEMS). This initiative targets women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs…
Nigeria is brimming with young creative talents such as musicians, filmmakers, designers, writers, and digital innovators shaping culture at home and commanding global attention. Yet for many of these creators, turning originality into sustainable income remains an uphill climb. Weak enforcement, piracy, and limited a…
April Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on Preferential Duty Access for Whiskey Produced in the United Kingdom USTR Releases 2026 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement USTR Seeks Public Comment on the Modernization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act Public Hearings Regarding Sec…
In a recent statement, FUFA President Hon. Magogo underscored the critical role of intellectual property protection within the football industry. He highlighted the need for robust legal frameworks to preserve the value of football-related content, trademarks, and branding, ensuring sustainable growth and integrity in…
At the African Public Square global debate, experts highlighted the enduring challenge of enabling African agency within a multipolar world. Drawing on Pan-African intellectual traditions, Professor Eka Ikpe emphasizes that Africa’s strategic autonomy depends on cultivating material capabilities, strengthening institu…
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