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ARTICLE · 07 JANUARY 2026

Football And IP In Africa

Adams & Adams
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The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is currently underway in Morocco showcasing soccer talents and competitiveness of 24 African countries.

GlobalIntellectual Property
Simon Brown
Simon Brown
Wilhelm Prozesky
Wilhelm Prozesky
Nthabisheng Phaswana
Nthabisheng Phaswana
Janice Galvad
Janice Galvad
Nicky Garnett
Nicky Garnett
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The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is currently underway in Morocco showcasing soccer talents and competitiveness of 24 African countries. This 35th edition of the tournament has proceeded to knockout stage wherein 16 teams advanced to "Round of 16" knockout stage.  Whilst these teams continue their quest to be crowned the African champions, we will on a lighter note share a bit about the IP regimes of these 16 countries. For obvious reasons we are starting with the host country, Morocco and the 4 countries (South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Tunisia) that have just been knocked out during Round of 16.

Morocco: Morocco is impressive not only on the soccer field, but also from an IP protection perspective. Morocco is a member of various IP international treaties and agreements which makes it possible for the country to provide for registration and protection of patents, trade marks, designs, plant breeders, domain names and copyright.  

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