Some of Afro-IP’s most popular, controversial or thought generating posts last year include the following (in no particular order):
· The ongoing counterfeit problem (including access to drugs) throughout Africa and possible solutions
· The spate of SCA trade mark cases in RSA and commentary
· Graham Gilfillan being sued by Samro for defamation (including for comments posted on this blog) and then successfully defending his position in court
· Kenya’s controversial decision not to have jurisdiction to revoke ARIPO patents
· India’s protest over Kenya’s new anti-counterfeit legislation
· The Russian NIGAZ branding blunder in Nigeria
· South African content providers’ strike and success in helping to bring the SABC to its knees, forcing board resignations and a request for a government bail out
· Kelbrick v Dean over the controversial Metcash ambush marketing decision ahead of FIFA’s World Cup tournament in Africa in 2010
· CIPRO’s dramatic fall from grace by being implicated in CIPROGATE - a fraud scandal by employees of its office
· The comments of LLM student Natasha Rey which forced a media statement from CIPRO and helped facilitate better decisions at informal hearings
· Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda helping to forge the East African Common market – the East African Community
· INTA’s annual Africa Update and the Rolex Gang capture outside the IP Crammer™
· Zimbabwe’s high advertisement cost scandal
· The race for firms and brands to get a footprint in Africa
· Efforts to protect indigenous knowledge through IP rights protection
This year Afro-IP will be extending its coverage of IP news and views across Africa. Look out for new initiatives and in the meantime, Afro-IP wishes its readers all the very best for 2010 and thanks you for your continued support.
