Africa: Intellectual Property

Trade secrets are often the most valuable form of intellectual property in the technology sector, and the latest dispute between xAI and OpenAI shows just how high the stakes can be.

In our last Newsletter, we highlighted how licensing external tech can help you grow without losing focus on your core business objective. Now, let's flip the script, what if your IP could do the heavy lifting?

The term "unlawful competition" is broad and encompasses a range of unfair business practices. Claims for damages arising out of unlawful competition are often brought together with claims...

Intellectual property (IP) assets such as trademarks, copyrights, or patents form a critical part of a company's overall assets. Categorized as intangible assets, IP assets play a key role in defining a business' competitive advantage, brand value and investment value amongst others.

At the Milan Fashion Week in June 2025, Prada presented a toe-braided sandal that closely resembled India's traditional Kolhapuri chappal, an artisanal leather sandal...

The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) recently issued a public advisory in Abuja warning DJs (Disc Jockeys) against playing other people's music in public without proper authorisation or licensing.

In our last Newsletter, we highlighted how licensing external tech can help you grow without losing focus on your core business objective. Now, let's flip the script, what if your IP could do the heavy lifting?

How startups leverage Intellectual Property ("IP") can significantly impact their growth trajectory. For startups with limited IP portfolios, leveraging the technology of other startups could provide the required momentum for rapid expansion. Conversely, startups with limited funds and valuable IP can generate revenue to finance operations by monetizing their IP assets.

In our previous article we established the monetary value and financial leverage available for business owners, more specifically registered brand owners, through the hypotec/pledging route...

Intellectual property (IP) assets such as trademarks, copyrights, or patents form a critical part of a company's overall assets. Categorized as intangible assets, IP assets play a key role in defining a business' competitive advantage, brand value and investment value amongst others.

For most tech startups, the real asset is not a sleek office or shiny gadgets; it is intellectual property (IP). Your code, brand, and ideas are the foundation of value. But if you don't secure ownership, that foundation can collapse overnight.

On 11 August 2025 the Companies and intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) announced that the application process for the re-instatement of companies and close corporations...