News & Events

MAY 2011 NEWS Aluko & Oyebode

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Registry News

Trademarks Registry pilots Official Website for Online Registration of Trademarks

In its quest to digitize its operations and allow for online registration of trademarks, patents and designs, the Nigerian Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry has now set up its official website that will allow for online registration of trademarks, patents and designs.

A pilot test of the system was initially scheduled for 15th April 2011 but was later postponed to a later date due to logistic reasons. The Registry has commenced accreditation of law firms and agents however; this had also been shelved for another date to be communicated. With the online registration, only duly accredited firms and agents will now be allowed access to registrations, search and other operations in relation to registration of trademarks, patents and designs via the Registry’s portal. The Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry oversees the operations of the Trademark, Patents and Designs Registry. For more information, you can visit the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s website at www.iponig.com.

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A New Trademark Journal is out – April 7th

The Nigerian Trademark Registry, in line with its policy to ensure quarterly publication of its journal, recently released its Trademarks Journal Vol. 4 No. 1 dated 7 April 2011. The Trademarks Journal contains advertisement of the trademark applications filed in Nigeria. This publication is allows persons who may oppose the application a period of two months to do so. In this case, the opposition deadline for the current Trademark Journal is 7 June 2011 after which we shall apply for registration certificates on behalf of our clients.

 

The Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration, Nigeria host representatives of NAFDAC

The Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC), Nigeria, in pursuance of its set goals of creating awareness on the ills of counterfeiting and piracy and fighting their scourge; had at its general meeting, representatives of the National Agency for Foods Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

At the ACC meeting held at the Conference Room of Aluko & Oyebode on April 27th, Mr. Abiola Victor, an Assistant Director in the Laboratory Services Directorate of NAFDAC, delivered a presentation on the Registration and Enforcement Mechanism of Manufacturers’ Rights in their Products. Mr. Victor took members present through the registration process of products including foods, packaged water, cosmetics, drugs and other related products for both the locally-manufactured goods and imported ones.

During the meeting, Mr. Joseph Asikpo, Assistant Director, Enforcement Directorate and Mrs. Aighomian Zeli, Assistant Director, Inspection Directorate took members through the enforcement activities of NAFDAC. They thereafter conducted members through NAFDAC’s inspection procedure for off-site raids when they showed members their newly acquired time scan machine which has about 4,000 products storage capacity and can also determine the genuineness of a tested product either by brand or chemical composition.

The Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC), Nigeria is affiliated to the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG).

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Aluko &Oyebode IP Team prepare for 133rd INTA Conference in San Francisco

The Intellectual Property Team of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode is presently making preparations for the 133rd Edition of International Trademarks Association (INTA) Conference scheduled to hold in San Francisco, May 14 – 18. The firm’s IP Team has been making last minute contacts with clients to schedule one- on- one meeting to discuss different issues on the IP Portfolios our firm is handling on their behalf. Recent changes at our trademark office as well as NAFDAC and NOTAP offices will be discussed.

Our firm’s IP team headed by Uche Nwokocha, our IP partner and Mark Mordi, our IP Litigation Partner as well as an Associate within the firm will be available at the INTA Conference to meet with clients, stakeholders and colleagues to hold discussions on IP prosecution and enforcement mechanisms available to clients in Nigeria and the OAPI countries. Our IP partner can be contacted for appointments by email at uche.nwokocha@aluko-oyebode.com.

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9th BOA Football Competition enters Semi – Final, Grand Finale to hold on May 8

The ongoing lawyer’s league organized by the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode in honour of one of its founding partners, late Bankole Olumide Aluko (1956 – 2002) has now entered its semi – final stage. The semi – final, scheduled to hold on 1 May 2011, will have the law firms of Banwo & Ighodalo and Templars on one hand and the law firms of Olisa Agbakoba & Associates and Punuka competing for the finals. The grand finale of the competition is scheduled to hold on 8 May 2011 between the winners of the two semi – final matches. The winner of the final match will be presented with the league trophy.

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