Legal Updates
October 22, 2026
Egypt Introduces Virtual Appeal Hearings for Trade Marks and Industrial Designs
Egypt has taken a further step towards digitising its intellectual property system, with appeal proceedings relating to trade marks and industrial designs now moving online. The Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) has introduced virtual hearings for committees considering appeals aga...
October 20, 2026
Tanzania Amends Patents (Registration) Act (Chapter 217) - Patents, Utility Models and Designs
Tanzania Amends Patents (Registration) Act (Chapter 217) - Patents, Utility Models and Designs.
Tanzania has introduced significant amendments to its patent, utility model and design law through the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, No. 6 of 2026 which took effect from 2 October 202...
October 19, 2026
Suriname Introduces Registration and Protection for Service Marks
Suriname has amended its Industrial Property Regulations to allow for the registration and statutory protection of trade marks covering services. The changes also modernise filing, publication and fee arrangements. The Act entered into force on 9 October 2026.
What has chan...
October 17, 2026
Jersey’s New Trade Mark Regime: Three Months on
As we reported in our earlier update, Jersey’s new trade mark regime came into force on 1 August 2026, alongside the launch of an entirely new IP Registry and bespoke online portal.
Nearly three months into the new regime, we answer some ...
October 8, 2026
Tanzania Closes Key Gaps in its Trade Mark Law: What Brand Owners Need to Know
Tanzania has moved to close its ARIPO enforceability gap and modernise its trade mark system.
In September 2025, Tanzania’s Court of Appeal held that ARIPO trade mark registrations designating mainland Tanzania are not enforceable, because provision for ARIPO trade marks under the Banjul Proto...
September 21, 2026
UAE Opens Class 33 to Trade Mark Applications
The UAE has announced that trade mark applications can now be filed in Nice Class 33 (alcoholic beverages), opening the door to protection for wines, spirits and other alcoholic products for the first time.
This is a significant development for brand owners with existing or future interests in...
July 28, 2026
Jersey Confirms Official Trade Mark Fees ahead of New Regime
Following our earlier update on Jersey's new trade marks regime, the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) has now published the final trade mark fees that will apply when the new system comes int...
July 14, 2026
Kenya Intellectual Property Authority Bill: A Unified Future for Kenya's IP Landscape
The Kenya Intellectual Property Authority Bill, 2026, now tabled before the National Assembly, proposes to merge the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), and the Anti‑Counterfeit Authority (ACA) into a single, modern regulator: the Kenya Intellectual Propert...
July 1, 2026
Copyright Amendment Bill: Constitutional Court Clarifies the Future of South Africa’s Copyright Reform
The Constitutional Court, on 26 June 2026, issued a landmark judgment on the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill (PPAB). This follows the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s referral of both Bills to the Court, wherein he raised reservations about their constituti...
June 23, 2026
Tanzania Trade Mark Recordation Programme Fully Operational: FCC Confirms Acceptance of ARIPO and Foreign Registrations
The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) of Tanzania has confirmed that the country's mandatory trade mark recordation programme is now fully operational. This development is significant for brand owners seeking to strengthen customs enforcement, prevent counterfeit imports and protect trade mark r...
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