Tuesday 11 December 2012

Darren Olivier

Sierra Leone's new IP legislation and ARIPO feedback

Menzi and Mr Wazir, Registrar General Zanzibar
The Africa IP gang (Nicky Garnett, Nthabi Phaswana and Menzi Maboyi) of law firm Adams & Adams have kindly submitted this update on developments in Sierra Leone and further news on ARIPO's Administrative Council Meeting held in late November: 

Sierra Leone: New IP laws
Ms MS Kallay - RG Sierra Leone, and Nthabi
During September 2012, the government of Sierra Leone passed into law the new Patent and Design Act of 2012. The new Act provides for, Paris Convention, PCT, ARIPO and direct national filing of patent and designs. Accordingly, UK granted patents and registered designs will no longer automatically extend into Sierra Leone.
We are assured by the Registrar that she is currently working on building capacity in order to process applications to be filed under the new Act.
 The main table!
Report on ARIPO Administrative Council Meeting held in Zanzibar, Tanzania from 26th to 30th November 2012

The 36th Session of the ARIPO Administrative Council Meeting was held in the picturesque resort island of Zanzibar, Tanzania from the 26th to 30th November 2012. South African delegates attended in an observer capacity as South Africa is not a member of ARIPO.

ARIPO continued to encourage users of the system to propose amendments to the Harare and Banjul Protocols and to comment on ARIPO’s plans to upgrade their infrastructure and introduce online filing of patents and trade marks.

The Secretariat also revealed plans to introduce a system of accreditation including a training program for attorneys and IP agents in the ARIPO member states.
Administrative Council and special guests

The guest of honour was His Excellency Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad, the First Vice President of Zanzibar. In his speech he highlighted the need for the protection of new varieties of plants as an important issue in food security in Africa and urged the Council to put in place strategies for the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore.

The current Mozambican Registrar General, Mr Fernando Dos Santos, was elected as the new ARIPO Director General for a term of 4 years commencing in 2013.

Darren Olivier

Darren Olivier

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