The impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Intellectual Property rights
The impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Intellectual Property rights The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a trade pact between African nations to form the world’s largest free trade area by creating a single market for goods and services across Africa. [1]The AfCFTA is destined to be the largest free […]
Unpacking the changes made to the 2023 Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial designs and Banjul Protocol on marks.
The Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial designs was adopted in 1982, and it empowers ARIPO to grant and register patents, industrial designs, and utility models on behalf of contracting states. The Banjul Protocol adopted in 1993, deals with the registration of trademarks submitted either to the ARIPO Office or to the industrial property office […]
You can now designate The Gambia in an ARIPO application
On 3 August 2021 it became possible to designate the Republic of the Gambia in an ARIPO application in terms of the Banjul Protocol. This brings the number of countries which may be designated in an ARIPO application to 12, namely, Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, The Gambia, the Kingdom of Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, […]
How trade secrets can bring value to your business
Hush – hush! – It is a trade secret. Business in the modern world has become cutthroat and to remain competitive and to meet the ever evolving customer demands, businesses are being forced to innovate and improve their product offerings and services. The said innovation is driven by information which if it lands in the […]
Mozambique joins the Banjul System
With effect from 15 August 2020, brand owners can use the Banjul system to protect their marks in Mozambique and ten other countries by filing one application and paying one set of fees. On 15 May 2020, Mozambique deposited its instrument of accession to the Banjul Protocol on Marks with the Director General of ARIPO, […]
Alec Muza Reappointed to INTA International Amicus Committee
Alec Muza has been reappointed to the International Trademark Association (INTA) International Amicus Committee for the 2020-2021 term.
Alec Muza Elected Zimbabwe Institute of Patent and Trademarks Agents President
Alec Muza, head of our Intellectual Property practice area, was elected President of the Zimbabwe Institute of Patent and Trademarks Agents at the annual general meeting which took place on 27 February 2019. Alec Muza has 12 years’ experience advising companies on brand protection strategies, trademark and patent filings and prosecutions, copyright, licensing, sale and purchase […]
What You Need to Know About Plant Breeders’ Rights in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, Plant Breeders’ Rights are governed by the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations, 1998 (Statutory Instrument 113 of 1998).
MS celebrates World IP Day
IP lawyers from MawereSibanda attended this year’s event which was hosted by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) at the ARIPO headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: WIPO Patent Drafting Course for African Patent Agents
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) organised a patent drafting course for African patent agents with the assistance of the Japan Patent Office. The course was held at ARIPO and officially opened on 4 September 2017.