Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series

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Africa and its growing middle class remain a center of attention for Intellectual Property (IP) right-holders and their representatives. Enhanced dialogue is needed involving all stakeholders in Africa on the enforcement of IP rights. With this web series we will be fostering learning and dialogue on IP enforcement issues.

The presenters for this six-session series are experts in their field and include government officials, practitioners, and brand owner representatives from key jurisdictions.

This series will be presented live over the course of six weeks, starting on February 25, 2021. You can purchase a single session or the whole series. And you can also purchase the sessions or the full series on demand after they have been presented live.

The program includes an overview session focusing on the current economic climate, factors contributing to counterfeiting, and the robust anticounterfeiting activities taking place across the region.

Later sessions in the series will provide more detailed analysis in each of the four regions of the continent. In the final session, we will hear from local and international actors on the initiatives in the fight against counterfeiting, cross border initiatives, and the importance of international collaborations. We hope this series will spark debate and contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity building on the African continent and beyond.

INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 02/25/2021

    Africa’s growing middle and upper class represent an untapped, dynamic, fast-moving, and competitive market that businesses cannot afford to ignore. Increasing commercial opportunities in Africa have attracted the attention not only of legitimate businesses but also of counterfeiters and unscrupulous traders. Fakes are a real problem in Africa. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series. )

    Africa’s growing middle and upper class represent an untapped, dynamic, fast-moving, and competitive market that businesses cannot afford to ignore. Increasing commercial opportunities in Africa have attracted the attention not only of legitimate businesses but also of counterfeiters and unscrupulous traders. Fakes are a real problem in Africa.

    In this session, speakers will discuss: 

    • The economic climate in Africa and why the continent is so attractive for right-holders;
    • The factors contributing to counterfeiting;
    • The robust activities implemented across the region in the fight against counterfeits; and 
    • Practical tips and tricks to protect your IP rights in Africa.

    Vanessa Ferguson

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464414

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

    Virginia
    Live: NII1007
    On-Demand: NII0904

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 03/04/2021

    The Southern African region comprises countries with widely differing economic outlooks: from South Africa, an upper middle-income country and the second largest economy in Africa, to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, both low-income countries. It is no surprise that, among the countries of the region, South Africa has the most robust customs recordal. This system of customs recordal and enforcement is, however, under strain from the ever-increasing cross-border flow of goods. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series.)

    The Southern African region comprises countries with widely differing economic outlooks: from South Africa, an upper middle-income country and the second largest economy in Africa, to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, both low-income countries. It is no surprise that, among the countries of the region, South Africa has the most robust customs recordal. This system of customs recordal and enforcement is, however, under strain from the ever-increasing cross-border flow of goods. 

    In this session, speakers will discuss: 

    • The registration of trademarks through the regional IP organization ARIPO and how to enforce such trademarks;
    • The cross-border flow of goods by land and sea between Southern African countries (Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe);
    • The enforcement of IP rights in South Africa.

    Nuno Cruz

    Partner and Founding Partner

    J. Pereira Da Cruz (Portugal)

    Nuno is a partner at the IP firm J. Pereira da Cruz and a founding partner of the related law firm Pereira da Cruz e Associados. He focuses his professional activity on IP contentious matters and, as a lawyer, on consultancy and litigation in the field of various IP rights, including anti-counterfeiting and border measures.

    As well as practicing in Portugal, Nuno also has experience in IP prosecution and litigation in other Portuguese-speaking countries – particularly in Angola.

    He serves on the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee and the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. He is currently chairman of the IP Commission of ICC Portugal. Nuno works in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.

    John Kabare

    Intellectual Property Operations Executive

    African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) (Zimbabwe)

    Mr. John Ndirangu Kabare, a national of the Republic of Kenya, joined ARIPO on 1 March 2002 as a Patent Examiner and was promoted to Senior Patent Examiner in 2011, a post he held until his appointment as Intellectual Property Operations Executive on 1 March 2016.

    Mr. Kabare is responsible for providing strategic support to the Director General by overseeing and coordinating the development of appropriate systems, procedures, controls, strategies and work programs for the provision of efficient and effective delivery of IP rights through the Division’s functional areas i.e. Search and Substantive Examination Department as well as the Formalities Examination Department.

    Mr. Kabare is a seasoned IP Rights Expert with over 22 years’ experience in the Intellectual Property (IP) rights management field.

    He previously worked for the Biotechnology Trust Africa in Kenya as an IP Officer, the Kenya Industrial Property Institute as a Patent Examiner and Frigoken Limited as Quality Control Manager, prior to joining ARIPO.

    Mr. Kabare holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Food science from the University of Nairobi and is in the final stages of the Master of Business Administration Degree from Women’s University in Africa. He has attended various regional and international professional courses in IP rights management regionally and has also facilitated various symposiums on IP related matters.

    Amanda Lotheringen

    Senior Manager, Copyright and IP Enforcement

    Companies, and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) (South Africa)

    Ms. Amanda Lotheringen joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 1993 and is currently Senior Manager, Copyright and IP Enforcement, at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).  In 1999 she took responsibility for the implementation of the Counterfeit Goods Act, No. 37 of 1997, and oversaw the declaration of the first counterfeit goods depot.  She was also involved in the training of law enforcement officials across government departments to implement that Act.  Ms. Lotheringen was nominated as Vice-Chair at the first meeting of WIPO’s Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) held in Geneva in 2003 and also chaired the ACE in 2015 and 2016.  She holds a degree from the Rand Afrikaans University in Development Economics and an Honors degree in Economics.

    Nancy Samuriwo

    Managing Partner

    Samuriwo Attorneys (Zimbabwe)

    Nancy is the Managing Partner of Samuriwo Attorneys, a dedicated IP firm that is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. She specializes in IPRs covering Zimbabwe as well as member states of the African Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

    She is a past Chairperson of the ARIPO Working Group which evaluates the performance of ARIPO’s Harare and Banjul Protocols and suggests ways of improving the performance of the IP registration systems under both Protocols.

    She has written papers and presented extensively on IP issues. She sits on several corporate Boards advising on IPRs and is a current member of INTA’s African Global Advisory Council. 

    With, multi-sectoral experience Nancy has a fresh take on IPR issues including anti-counterfeiting matters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law, two Masters degrees in IP and Oil, Gas and Mining law respectively and is currently studying towards an MSc in Climate and Development Law with the University of London to leverage her IP skills.

    Vanessa Ferguson (Moderator)

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider (Moderator)

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464417

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 03/11/2021

    With an active and forward-looking anti-counterfeiting agency in Kenya, an effective system of customs recordal in Mauritius, and trademark registrations obtained faster in Rwanda than at the EUIPO and the USPTO, East African IP practitioners have nothing to be ashamed of. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series.)

    With an active and forward-looking anti-counterfeiting agency in Kenya, an effective system of customs recordal in Mauritius, and trademark registrations obtained faster in Rwanda than at the EUIPO and the USPTO, East African IP practitioners have nothing to be ashamed of.

    In this session, speakers will discuss: 

    • The role and mission of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) in Kenya; and
    • Updates on IP rights enforcement in East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Mauritius).

    Abay Feleke

    Founder and Managing Partner

    IPELA Consultancy Service (Ethiopia)

    Abay Feleke is a founder and managing partner at IPELA Consultancy Service, a firm based in Ethiopia providing a wide range of service in the areas of Trademark, Patent, Industrial Design, Utility Model protection and enforcement and corporate matters. He was former Trademark & Industrial Design examiner at Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office.

    Abay is a lawyer and licensed trademark Agent in Ethiopia. And he advises and assists international and local clients on intellectual property protection and enforcement measures.

    Nora Ho Tu Nam

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Nora Ho Tu Nam is a lawyer at IPvocate Africa, a boutique law firm specialised in protecting, managing and enforcing intellectual property rights all over Africa from Mauritius. She focuses on anti-counterfeiting matters in Africa and has an in-depth knowledge of the law and practice of the enforcement of intellectual property rights. 

    She is a published author, having written chapters in edited books, journal articles, reports and book reviews. Her 2020 publications include co-authoring an article on the real problem of fakes in Africa: enabling factors and advice to right holders and an article on counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Africa in the times of COVID-19. Both have been published by the Oxford University Press Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    She previously worked in South Africa and The Gambia, thereby bringing in a solid knowledge of the African continent. She holds a doctorate in law from the University of Pretoria.

    Fridah Kaberia

    Acting Executive Director

    Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) (Kenya)

    Ms. Fridah is the Acting Executive Director of ACA, a State Corporation under the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development. ACA is mandated to combat counterfeiting and trade in counterfeit goods in Kenya.

    Ms. Fridah has a wealth of experience in Intellectual Property Enforcement spanning over 10 years. She has served the Authority since its inception. Prior to her current position, Ms. Fridah previously served as the Head of Corporate Services within ACA having grown through the ranks due to her exemplary performance.

    Ms. Fridah holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Nairobi and is a member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya. Her passion is in empowering young innovators through the protection of their IP rights and promotion of local manufacturing through enforcement of intellectual property rights.

    Lorna Mbatia

    Founder

    CFL Advocates (Kenya)

    Lorna is the founder of CFL Advocates and is in charge of the IP practice at the firm.

    She has a wealth of expertise in IP prosecution, maintenance, audits, risk management, anticounterfeiting, contentious IP and commercial IP services across East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan), ARIPO and OAPI.

    She is currently a member of the INTA Board of Directors, the Co-chairperson of the INTA Africa Global Advisory Council and the chairperson of the Africa and Middle East subcommittee of the INTA Anticounterfeiting Committee. 

    Lorna has been recognized in several international leading legal directories including Chambers Global, Managing IP, WTR1000, World IP Review and Client Choice awards for her professionalism and commitment in the IP field. 

    Vanessa Ferguson (Moderator)

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider (Moderator)

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464581

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

    Virginia
    Live: NII1007
    On-Demand: NII1007

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 03/18/2021

    Being the number one economy and the country with the largest population in Africa, Nigeria is the focal point of investors in the West African region. At the same time, Nigeria has increasingly become a target destination and a significant transit route for counterfeit and pirated products. This has a significant impact on the neighboring countries, including member states of the regional IP organization, OAPI and Ghana—another regional giant. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series.)

    Being the number one economy and the country with the largest population in Africa, Nigeria is the focal point of investors in the West African region. At the same time, Nigeria has increasingly become a target destination and a significant transit route for counterfeit and pirated products. This has a significant impact on the neighboring countries, including member states of the regional IP organization, OAPI and Ghana—another regional giant.  

    In this session, speakers will discuss: 

    • Discuss the role of the OAPI and how OAPI trademarks are enforced in the member states;
    • Provide an update on IP rights enforcement in Ghana and Nigeria; and
    • Discuss how brand owners are protecting their trademarks in the region. 

    Obafemi Agaba

    Etti, Edu & Co. (Nigeria)

    Obafemi heads the Brand Protection Practice as well as the FMCG Sector of Jackson, Etti & Edu, a prestigious law firm recognised locally and internationally as having the foremost IP practice in Nigeria and a flourishing Africa practice. 

    Obafemi has a solid background in commercial litigation and has grown into a leading light in IP litigation, rights protection and enforcement, espousing recondite points of law and fundamental principles in the Nigerian IP jurisprudence. He also regularly interfaces with regulatory and enforcement bodies on the protection of IP rights.

    Obafemi holds an LLM.IP from the University College London and a PGD in International Copyright Law from King's College London. As a strong voice in IP practice, he was also elected as the President of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria in December 2020 and currently serves on the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of the INTA.

    Maurice Batanga

    African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)

    Mr. Maurice Batanga is holder of:

    • A Degree in Private Law obtained in 1986 at the Faculty of Law and Economics of the University of Yaounde
    • An MA and a Doctorate in International Relations awarded by the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon in 1988 and 1991 respectively.

    Mr. Maurice Batanga is the Director of Legal Affairs Department at the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), in Yaounde- Cameroon. He has been working in this organization since 1996.  

    He is also a Lecturer in the Academy of Intellectual Property that was created in 2005 in OAPI. Prior to joining OAPI, Mr. Maurice Batanga, who is a Diplomat, served at the Ministry of External Relations of Cameroon, from 1991 to 1996.

    He participated as a student, at a training program on IP at the Center for International Intellectual Property Studies of the University of Strasbourg in France.

    Olusola Adejumoke Ogundimu

    Integrated Legal Consultants (Ghana)

    Olusola Ogundimu is one of the leading faces of IP law in Ghana. Her practice, Integrated Legal Consultants, founded in 2007, remains at the forefront of IP matters in Ghana providing services to local and international clients some of which include Fortune 500 companies 

    Olusola is responsible for securing the registration of several leading international brands with both the Nigerian Trademarks Registry and the Ghanaian Trademarks Registry and has registered a significant number of patents and industrial designs. She has also advised and litigated on intellectual property rights and anti-counterfeiting matters.

    A graduate of The University of Ile Ife in Nigeria, Olusola was admitted to the Nigerian Bar and Ghanaian Bar in 1992 and 2007, respectively and has since worked with and in various capacities in Ghana; Sierra-Leone (Wright & Co and Fourah Bay College: 2003-2005); and Nigeria (Aluko & Oyebode: 1994 – 2001).

    She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Ghana Bar Association, the International Bar Association  and  the International Trademark Association.

    Braam Schoeman

    SC Johnson & Son (South Africa)

    Braam Schoeman’s career started as a legal advisor with the South African Police Service. As such he predominantly dealt with High Court litigation matters against the Police. His last 4 years in the Police were dedicated to coordinating anti-counterfeit efforts between the public and private sectors and assisting with the compiling of a training manual for anti-counterfeit enforcers.

    From the Police, he moved to the music industry to establish a national Music Anti-Piracy Group for the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). He spent 8 years in the roll as the Anti-Piracy manager during which period he and his team removed all visible music piracy from the streets of South Africa while utilizing technology to identify peer-to-peer file sharers, predominantly uploaders.

    From the music industry, he moved to S. C Johnson & Son (SCJ) where he was appointed as the Brand Protection manager responsible for Sub-Saharan Africa. As such he has established an enforcement network across Africa combating counterfeit SCJ products. Some of his successes include having eradicated counterfeiting of SCJ products in Kenya & Uganda to less than 1%. To date he is still frequently requested to address regional, operational & educational workshops hosted by Interpol, WIPO and the WCO.

    Vanessa Ferguson (Moderator)

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider (Moderator)

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464583

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

    Virginia
    Live: NII1007
    On-Demand: NII1007

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 03/25/2021

    North Africa is a dynamic region neighboring Europe. Northern African countries have effective customs recordal systems and well-drafted IP laws. Still, counterfeit and pirated goods produced locally and abroad are widely available on the local market and exported to Europe. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series.)

    North Africa is a dynamic region neighboring Europe. Northern African countries have effective customs recordal systems and well-drafted IP laws. Still, counterfeit and pirated goods produced locally and abroad are widely available on the local market and exported to Europe. 

    In this session, speakers will: 

    • Look at the trade links between EU and North Africa and how they impact counterfeiting in both regions;
    • Provide an update on IP rights enforcement in Egypt and Morocco; and 
    • Discuss how brand owners ensure that their IP rights are respected in the region. 

    Issam Benhssine

    Founder

    IB for IP (Morocco)

    Mr. Issam Benhssine has ten years of experience working in the legal field. He served as a lawyer at the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office between 2010 and 2018, promoting intellectual property rights for both creators and innovators and dealing with anticounterfeiting measures and procedures at the national, regional and international levels.

    In August 2018, Mr. Issam Benhssine founded IB FOR IP, an abbreviation of Issam Benhssine for Intellectual Property, an intellectual property firm based in Casablanca, Morocco. IB FOR IP provides a full range of legal services covering counselling, registration, prosecution, licensing and litigation related to intellectual property rights. 

    Mr. Issam Benhssine holds a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) in intellectual property from the University of Turin (2015/2016). He is a member of INTA Anticounterfeiting Committee, Middle East and Africa Subcommittee, since January 2020. Mr. Issam Benhssine is the author of several articles in the field of intellectual property.

    Mohamed Eldib

    Eldib & Co. (Egypt)

    Mohamed obtained his Bachelor of Science from Boston University – School of Management in 2013. He later obtained his LLB and LLM from BPP University in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Mohamed joined Eldib & Co, a regional law firm with branches across Africa, in 2014 specializing in corporate and intellectual property law.

    In his corporate law practice, Mohamed has assisted in various contracts for high profile clients worldwide. At Eldib & Co he handles litigation claims on behalf of multinational companies in instances of counterfeit products appearing in the market. Mohamed is a member of the International Trademark Association’s Anti-counterfeiting committee and a co-chair in the Middle East General Advisory Counsel.

    Franck Pradier

    Novartis Global Security (Switzerland)

    Franck Pradier joined Novartis Global Security in 2014 and has been focusing on the fight against falsified medicines since then, occupying several different positions of increasing responsibilities. In his current role, Franck not only leads several projects related with this topic, but also acts as the Anti-Counterfeiting Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the Europe and Middle East region. Franck holds a Master’s degree in Business Intelligence since 2010 and is a Certified Fraud Examiner – CFE degree since 2016.

    Nathan Wajsman

    European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) Observatory (Spain)

    Born in Wrocław, Poland and a dual Polish/Danish national, Nathan Wajsman was educated at the University of Aarhus in Denmark and later undertook graduate studies in the USA, earning a PhD in Economics from the University of Florida and an MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia.

    Dr. Wajsman was named Chief Economist of the EUIPO in May 2011. He has been with the agency since 2007, previously working in Finance and Quality Management. 

    Prior to joining the EUIPO, he spent 20 years working in the private sector. A stint as a forecasting analyst at an electric utility in Florida was followed by a career in telecommunications and finance industries in the USA and several European countries, including positions with AT&T in the USA and Belgium, Swiss Reinsurance Company in Zurich, and Claranet Benelux, a managed hosting and internet service provider in the Netherlands.

    Vanessa Ferguson (Moderator)

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider (Moderator)

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464584

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

  • Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 04/01/2021

    The protection and enforcement of IP rights in Africa are rapidly evolving with both locally and internationally driven initiatives that are helping to increase awareness as to the importance and benefits of IP rights in Africa. (This is part of the Enforcement of IP Rights in Africa Webcast Series. You may purchase a single session or the whole series.)

    The protection and enforcement of IP rights in Africa are rapidly evolving with both locally and internationally driven initiatives that are helping to increase awareness as to the importance and benefits of IP rights in Africa. 

    In this session, speakers will discuss: 

    • Local initiatives to reinforce understanding of IP rights;
    • The role of customs in Africa and the support provided by the World Customs Organization; 
    • Initiatives put in place by international organizations and associations such as INTA and the USPTO in Africa. 

    Maurice Emiola Adefalou

    Technical Officer, Compliance

    World Customs Organization (Belgium)

    Prior to joining the Word Customs Organisation, Maurice Emiola had a 13-year career in various positions at Benin Customs, including heading up the rapid intervention service, also known as the “mobile brigade,” with responsibility for the Atlantic and coastline, and was the spokesperson for Benin Customs administration, just prior to his departure from Benin Customs.

    In September 2016, Maurice Emiola relocated to WCO headquarters in Brussels and joined the team responsible for the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Health and Safety Programme in the Enforcement and Compliance Sub-Directorate.

    In 2018, he held the position of Director, Policy and International Relations Director, Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, Benin.

    Today, Maurice Emiola holds the position of Technical Officer, IPR, and health and safety programme manager in Compliance sub directorate in WCO.

    He has participated in several WCO operations against illicit medicines, such as ACIM and Mirage. He is now the main coordinator of the STOP Operation, the WCO immediate response against illicit trafficking of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies linked to COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Holly B. Lance

    Attorney Advisor, Office of Policy and International Affairs

    United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (USA)

    Holly B. Lance is an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  As a member of the Enforcement team, Ms. Lance provides technical advice, analysis, and expertise on domestic and global intellectual property enforcement issues. Ms. Lance’s portfolio is Sub-Saharan Africa, and she promotes and advocates for improved protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the region through capacity building and technical assistance programs.  

    Prior to joining the USPTO, Ms. Lance was in private practice, where she focused on trademark, copyright and internet law issues, including counseling, trademark and copyright prosecution, enforcement and litigation.

    Ms. Lance holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Cultural Anthropology and Public Policy Studies from Duke University, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School.  She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

    Darren Olivier

    Afro-IP, and Adams & Adams (South Africa)

    Darren Olivier has over 20 years of experience in brand protection and intellectual property commercialization. He is an IP adviser to the Zulu royal family and sits on the editorial board of the University of Oxford’s Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice. He also writes as Afro Leo on the Afro-IP blog, which he founded. He is a fellow of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law and dual qualified South African and English solicitor and is a member of INTA. He holds a B.Com LLB.

    Maysa Razavi

    External Relations Manager for Anticounterfeiting

    International Trademark Association (INTA) (USA)

    Maysa Razavi has worked with the International Trademark Association (INTA) on the frontline of the war against counterfeits for the past nine years. As the External Relations Manager for Anticounterfeiting at INTA, Maysa leads the organization’s anticounterfeiting policy worldwide. She also is the staff focused on international amicus intervention for the Association. Her work has involved a wide range of industries from pharmaceuticals to fashion. Maysa is a graduate of New York Law School (J.D.) and New York University (B.A.).

    Gregor Schneider

    AfrIPI Deputy Project Leader - International Cooperation Service

    European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) (Spain)

    Law Studies in Saarbrücken and Salamanca. After obtaining the qualification for holding judicial office (German Second State Examination), he practiced as a lawyer with Forrester, Norall & Sutton (now: White & Case) in Brussels, Belgium. From 1997 to 2001, he served as a staff legal advisor for European Union law and German law for the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police at the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Lausanne, Switzerland. 

    In 2001, Mr Schneider joined EUIPO to work as a lawyer in the Legal Department. Apart from representing the Office in more than 800 cases before the European Court of Justice, he took over different responsibilities in various departments of the Office (Cancellation, International Cooperation, DPO). In 2020, he assumed the role of Deputy Project Leader for the AfrIPI project, a Commission project aimed at strengthening IPRs in Africa which is co-funded and implemented by the EUIPO. 

    Vanessa Ferguson (Moderator)

    Founder

    Ferguson Attorneys (South Africa)

    Vanessa is the founder of FERGUSON ATTORNEYS a South African Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting specialist law firm. 

    For more than two decades, Vanessa has been assisting clients from all industries and areas in respect of both traditional and non-traditional IP protection and enforcement, including anti-counterfeiting measures, both in South Africa as well as key African territories.

    Vanessa furthermore holds the position of Immediate President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property (SAIIPL) – 2019-2020, member of Council, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting and Education committees.  Vanessa serves as a member of the INTA (International Trade Mark Association) Middle East & Africa Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

    She is the co-author with Marius Schneider of the book “Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa”, published by Oxford University Press in May 2020. 

    With a strong passion and belief in education and capacity building, Vanessa works closely with government bodies and industries in South Africa and is actively involved in the training programs for law enforcement, customs and other role players in anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement measures. 

    Marius Schneider (Moderator)

    Founder and Director

    IPvocate Africa (Mauritius)

    Marius is the founder and director of IPvocate Africa, a law firm focusing on the protection, management, and enforcement of IP rights all over Africa. He assists clients, including multinationals from Europe and North America, in setting up and enforcing their IP strategy across Africa.

    Marius is the co-author with Vanessa Ferguson of the 2020 Oxford University Press (OUP) publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Africa’, the first book discussing intellectual property rights enforcement in all 54 African countries. He is the co-editor of the OUP publication ‘Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures – Law and Practice in the EU’ (third edition in progress) and a Consulting Editor of the OUP Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice.

    He is a lawyer at the Brussels bar and is registered as a Legal Adviser in Mauritius. He serves on the INTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, the EUIPO Observatory and the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee. Marius works in English, French, German and Dutch.

    INTA will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for the whole series and individual sessions. Total CLE credits available will vary from state to state. For more information, please email: memberoperations@inta.org.

    COURSE NUMBERS BY STATE
    only states with course numbers are listed

    New Jersey
    Live and On-Demand: 127

    Florida
    Live and On-Demand: 2107393N

    Illinois
    Live and On-Demand: 464584

    Indiana
    Live and On-Demand: 278123

    Texas
    Live: 174117277
    On-Demand: 174117278

  • Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits

    Please complete a brief evaluation for this webcast series.

    Please complete a brief evaluation for this webcast series.