INTA's 2014 Africa Highlights

If you are making the annual INTA pilgrimage and want to know what's going on in Africa, below is an extract from the official program as it pertains to the continent, complete with speakers. Please make an effort to join in the discussions and, if you feel the urge, jot down your observations for Afro-IP readers to enjoy.

Afro-IP is extremely pleased to see that the Africa regional update has moved to Monday and thanks INTA for the popular slot. 

DM Kisch's Lisa McIlwaine-Hill, Spoor & Fisher's Herman Blignaut and Kay Rickelman, and Norton Rose's Brian Wimpey to name a few, are facilitating discussions or giving presentations and would welcome your involvement.

As usual, if you are not attending and would like to pose a question to the presenters, please send an email here.

Sunday 11 May

9:30 – 11:30 Table topics

TS07 Consumer Perception of the Enforcement of Non-Traditional Trademarks
Herman Blignaut, Spoor & Fisher (South Africa)

TS26 Traditional Terms and Expressions: Is It Part of Trademark Law?
Brian Wimpey, Norton Rose South Africa (incorporated as Deneys Reitz Inc) (South Africa)

2:45- 4:45 - Committee Meeting

Famous & Well-Known Marks Committee – Middle East, Africa & South Asia Subcommittee 

Monday 12 May

1:15 - 3:15- Committee Meeting

Legislation & Regulation Committee – Middle East, Africa & South Asia Subcommittee 

3:30 – 4:45 – Regional Update

RM50 Regional Update: Africa Rising!
Intermediate Level

There is a renewed interest in Africa among those in trade, commerce and industry because of the vast opportunities of Africa’s mineral and natural resources and talented population. This interest is matched with the ever-growing need for consumer and business services and products. African nations have become more aware of the importance of trademark systems to encourage trade and investment and as tools to develop their economies.

Join us for a frank and open discussion about changes taking place and challenges related to trademark protection in Africa with representatives from the continent’s two regional systems, the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) and the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO), representing a membership of 35 states, lawyers and companies doing business in Africa.

Discussion will include:

·         The routes available for trademark registration—national, regional and Madrid Protocol.

·         Understanding requirements of use and how to avoid removal cancellation for non-use.

·         Enforcement measures through administrative and/or court proceedings for protection of well-known and other marks.

Moderator:
Brenda Wood-Kahari, B.W. Kahari (Zimbabwe)

Speakers:
Jose M. Checa, DuPont de Nemours International Sarl (Switzerland)
Fernando Antonio Dos Santos, African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO) (Zimbabwe)
Paulin Edou Edou, Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (Cameroon)
Lisa McIlwaine-Hill, DM Kisch Inc. (South Africa)

Tuesday 13 May

8:00 – 10:00 Table Topic

TT09 How to Most Effectively Obtain Trademark Protection in Africa: Learning How to Successfully Use the OAPI and ARIPO Regional Systems and the Madrid System
Kay Rickelman, Spoor & Fisher (South Africa)

8:00 – 10:00 – Committee Meeting

Non-Traditional Marks Committee – Middle East, Africa & South Asia Subcommittee   

10:15 - 12:15 – Committee Meeting

Anticounterfeiting Committee – Middle East, Africa, and South Asia Subcommittee

Trademark Office Practices Committee – Africa TMO Relations Subcommittee 4:00 – 6:00 – Committee Meeting Africa Global Advisory Council