Kenya's IP Registry Has Moved To New Offices

In simple terms, a counterfeit is a product that imitates the genuine one and constitutes an infringement of IP rights.

The administration of intellectual property in Kenya is currently fragmented. The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (“KIPI”) administers patents, trade marks, utility models and industrial designs...

A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies your goods or services.

Kenya is poised to transform its intellectual property landscape through the consolidation of three separate regulatory bodies into a single unified authority. The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill 2026 proposes sweeping reforms that would streamline IP administration, establish a specialized tribunal, and create comprehensive oversight of patents, trademarks, copyright, and anti-counterfeiting measures under one roof.

This announcement by the Kenyan Industrial Property Institute, follows an increase in the official fees applicable to official trade mark searches in Kenya.

Stiff penalties await dealers in counterfeit goods in Kenya once a new law on counterfeits is enacted.

Kenya has published the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026, representing the first comprehensive reform of its copyright legislation in over two decades. The proposed framework introduces modern provisions for digital-age challenges including AI-generated works, online enforcement mechanisms, and enhanced protections for creators and performers.

The Kenya Industrial Property Institute has introduced a digital transformation in intellectual property services by launching an online filing system. This new platform enables applicants to electronically file patents, industrial designs, and utility models while processing payments through a streamlined digital interface. The modernization initiative represents a significant step toward improving efficiency and accessibility in Kenya's IP administration.

Togo's partnership with Poland to build a domestic drone industry, Kenya's establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency, and a landmark tribunal ruling on AI-generated copyright protection signal Africa's evolving technology governance landscape. These developments raise critical questions around technology transfer, digital infrastructure protection, and intellectual property rights in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

The Anti-Counterfeit (Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (Legal Notice no. 117) and the Anti-Counterfeit (Recordation) Regulations, 2021 (Legal Notice no. 118) were jointly published by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development on 23rd July 2021.

Angola's economy is overwhelmingly driven by its oil sector. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute to approximately 50% of the GDP.

A South African High Court has ruled on the lawfulness of account freezing by banks based on fraud suspicions and affirmed SARS's authority to issue third-party notices under section 179 of the Tax Administration Act. The case arose after a close corporation fraudulently claimed a VAT refund of R3.28 million, transferred R900,000 to an individual's account, prompting the bank to freeze the account and SARS to pursue recovery through a third-party notice.

The Registrar General of Intellectual Property Administration in Sudan has reinstated strict enforcement of the six-month grace period for trademark renewals under Article 19(3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1969. This policy shift ends years of lenient administrative practices that previously allowed late renewals without penalties or even accepted renewals beyond the statutory grace period.

Claims against estate agents for latent defects discovered after the purchase of immovable property are frequently pursued without a full appreciation of the legal requirements that must be satisfied for success.

The South African flag represents more than national identity—it's a protected symbol with strict legal requirements for commercial use. Businesses seeking to incorporate the flag into their branding or products must navigate complex regulations under the Heraldry Act and Merchandise Marks Act, requiring ministerial consent before use in trade marks, packaging, or advertising.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals examined whether a directors' and officers' liability policy's contractual liability exclusion could bar coverage for an entire multi-count lawsuit, or whether each legally distinct cause of action—breach of contract, fraud, and quantum meruit—must be assessed separately against the exclusion's terms. The decision addresses the critical question of how insurers must apply policy exclusions when a single complaint pleads multiple claims arising from the same und

A Nigerian Federal High Court has ruled on a high-stakes copyright dispute over the globally acclaimed gospel song "Way Maker," examining whether a music producer's technical contributions to a recording constitute co-authorship. The judgment clarifies the critical distinction between creative authorship and production services in determining copyright ownership. This decision carries significant implications for how the music industry documents and allocates rights between artists and technical contributor

South Africa's Constitutional Court has delivered a landmark ruling on the Copyright Amendment Bill, upholding the controversial shift to 'fair use' while striking down broad educational exceptions for textbook copying. The judgment leaves critical questions unresolved about contract terms, ministerial powers, and the Bill's complete silence on generative AI—creating both constraints and opportunities as Parliament must now revisit legislation conceived over a decade ago.

In today's digital-first world, graphic design platforms like Canva and Adobe Express have become indispensable tools for entrepreneurs.

Expanding into a new market is exciting. Businesses spend considerable time planning product launches, negotiating commercial agreements, appointing local partners and pursuing growth opportunities.