The Rise of Constitutional Intellectual Property in Kenya

In a recent judgment in the case of Patricia Asero Ochieng, Maurine Atieno and Joseph Munyi vs Republic H.C.C.C. Petition No. 409 of 2009 handed down by Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi (also known as “Kenyan Jurist” in blogging circles), the Constitutional Division of the High Court held that one of Kenya’s intellectual property laws namely … Continue reading »

World Intellectual Property Day Almost Here: Current State of IP in Kenya

Editor’s note: This post is divided into three parts: 1. Recap of major IP developments in Kenya so far. 2. World IP Day celebrations in Kenya. 3. Visionary innovators in Kenya – two personal picks. Continue reading »

The Return of Music Copyright Society of Kenya

Yesterday, IPKenya received this in an e-mail: PRESS INVITE Dear Sir/Madam, Music Copyright Society of Kenya (M.C.S.K) would like to invite you to a press conference this Tuesday 24th April 2012 at the National Theatre – Wasanii Restaurant – in Nairobi from 10:00 am. The purpose of the press briefing is to inform/present to the … Continue reading »

Legal Tender and Intellectual Property in Kenya

Parliament in it’s role as the watchdog of the Executive arm of Government has recently focussed its attention on claims that the Kenyan tax payer may have lost an estimated 3 billion shillings through shadowy deals on currency printing involving government officials and British firm De La Rue. Continue reading »

Moline infringing on Mololine Trademark, According to Court

The ratio decidendi of Lady Justice Murugi Mugo’s decision can be found on the second last page of the judgement: “…it is clear that the words “MOLOLINE” and “MOLINE” as appearing in the Applicant’s minibuses KBB 882 M and respondents KBM 807 C and KBK 425B highly resemble in material particulars. (…) the said words … Continue reading »

South African Firm Accused by Kenya of Patent Rights Breach

The Daily Nation reports that a South African company has been blamed for selling semen from the Boran bull, a Kenyan cattle breed by purporting it is a patented product of that country. When questioned by the Nation, the Livestock Minister Dr. Mohamed Kuti said that the move was in violation of the country’s patent … Continue reading »

The Competent Authority: Behold! Kenya’s New Copyright Tribunal

During the Second Reading of the Copyright Bill on November 20, 2001, the following statement was made by the Deputy House Speaker recorded in the Hansard at page 3186: “the competent authority will act as an arbiter between the Board and the members.” Section 48 (1) of Kenya’s Copyright Act provides for the appointment of … Continue reading »

Will Next Director General of ARIPO Be From Kenya?

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), through its official website, is inviting applications from suitable qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the post of Director General of the Organization. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2012. The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization – ARIPO, formerly African Regional Industrial Property Organization, … Continue reading »