We are happy to come back to our readers with an update on current happenings in our jurisdiction, firstly, our brand new government.
New Government
Following the peaceful elections held in March and April 2015, the new government led by President Muhammed Buhari was sworn in Friday the 29th of May, 2015. Nigerians are eager to see the change constantly being advocated by the new government.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria (ACC) Committed to Building Capacity for Law Enforcement Agencies in 2015.
One of the action points for ACC in 2015 is training for Nigeria’s regulators.
The first recipient of this training is NAFDAC. The ACC sponsored a NAFDAC official to the 2015 International Trademark Association (INTA) annual meeting in San Diego this past May.
This training is the first among several training the ACC has scheduled to benefit the enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
The Trademarks Patent and Design Registry gets a new Registrar
A new Registrar was appointed to the Nigerian Trademarks Patents and Designs Registry in May 2015. The new Registrar Mr.Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle held his first meeting with trademark agents on the 19th of May, 2015. Many pressing matters were discussed and the Registrar has pledged to move the Registry forward. We use this forum to thank the former Registrar Mrs. Nima Salman Mann and all the other officers who worked over the last 3 years to move the Registry forward. We are confident that the new Registrar will build on the achievements of his predecessor and continue to move the Registry forward.
New Trademark Journals
Two editions of the Industrial Property Automated Systems (IPAS) journals have been released. The long awaited journals for applications filed manually are both dated 18th May 2015: No. 1 Vol. 1 and No. 2 Vol. 1 respectively. This is a relief to IP practitioners as the last Journal for manual application was released in 2013.
Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)
SON has issued new Guidelines for the importation of goods into Nigeria (SONCAP). SON says that it has improved its process of importation and quality test. SON says it will ensure that all goods meet up with their requirements and standard and will work hand in hand with the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) to make sure that this new regulations work effectively. Click here to read the new Guildline
Firm News
The firm’s IP partner Uche Nwokocha, was invited by the INTA to participate in the
project team for the 137th Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, May, 2015.
In an interview featured in International Trademark Association (INTA) Daily News, Ms. Uche Nwokocha spoke on the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and the role it plays in Foreign Direct Investment in Africa. Click here to read the interview.
Following the interview, Uche Nwokocha moderated a session on Tuesday, 5th May, 2015 titled “Trademark Offices in Africa: the importance of working with related government agencies”. It is noted within the international community that Africa is the new frontier for economic growth and the continent has seen mass businesses and investments. An efficient collaboration between government agencies and the trademark offices will benefit brand owners.
The session was well attended by IP stakeholders and practitioners. Other speakers for the session were drawn from 3 major jurisdictions – South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
Aluko & Oyebode Ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Global
The Firm is the only Nigerian law firm to be ranked in band 1 in the 2015 Chambers Global across all practice areas. The Banking & Finance, Corporate/Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Energy & Natural Resources all made the list. Click here to read the full details.
The Bankole Olumide Aluko, SAN (BOA) Football Tournament
The final match/ceremony of the BOA held on the 24th of May, 2015. Our Firm qualified for the 3rd place match. The event ended with the Firm of Olisa Agbakoda Legal winning the Champions trophy and first place. Probitas Partners/B. Ayorinde & Co and Tayo Oyetibo & Co/Bayo Osipitan & Co took the second and third place/prizes respectively.
As a tradition, Our Firm gave out prizes to outstanding law students in various Universities in Nigeria in honour of late Bankole Olumide Aluko.
