A Challenge for Law Schools in Kenya to Take IP Seriously

IPKenya would like to begin by echoing Article 40 (6) of the Constitution of Kenya which states: “The State shall support, promote and protect of the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya” This post is a call for a different interpretation of this article that puts us, intellectual property scholars and students, at … Continue reading »

Constitutional Review and Intellectual Property Rights: Zambia’s Bold Step Forward

IPKenya recently found time to peruse the First Draft Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, published on 30th April 2012 by the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution. Read the full draft Constitution here. News reports indicate that Zambia is in the process of reviewing its Constitution and that Zambians have been given a … Continue reading »

Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions in Kenya

The kiondo, the Kikoy, now the Maasai Shuka have been stolen from Kenyan! This is something we read about every other day in the press, over the social networks and commonly discussed. We hear about traditional medicines and therapies, traditional cultural expressions are used in music, artwork and designs. These are all elements of what … Continue reading »

2012 for Intellectual Property in Kenya

IPKenya is back for a second year, hoping to be more informative and relevant than last year and still gunning for that coveted “Kat-approved” badge. To start things off, here is a small list of IPKenya’s twelve expectations for 2012:- 1. The Geographical Indications Bill will be signed into law. 2. The Copyright Amendment Bill … Continue reading »

Revenue Service and Copyright Office: Strange bedfellows?

Over the past couple of years, one of the most problematic provisions in the Copyright Act has been, without doubt, section 36, which reads, in part: “36. (1) A manufacturer or producer of sound and audio-visual works or recordings shall apply to the Board. for the authentication of copyright works. (2) The Board shall authenticate … Continue reading »

Establishment of a National Intellectual Property Academy in Kenya

IPKenya has learned, from a reliable source, that the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has agreed to support the Kenya Industrial Property Office (KIPI) in establishing a National Intellectual Property Academy in Kenya. The proposed academy will collaborate with other institutions of higher learning to train in matters of intellectual property at different levels. A … Continue reading »

Kenya Industrial Property Tribunal Allows Pre-Grant Entitlement Actions in Patent Applications

Imagine the following scenario: X employs Y as an inventor. During his Y’s employment with X, Y comes up with technology surrounding fabric impregnation with insecticides. However, Y later leaves X’s employ and joins Z. Z files a patent in respect of the technology Y came up with while in X’s employ. The facts of … Continue reading »

Kenya Industrial Property Journal Now Available Online

For a long time, the Journal of Patents, Industrial Designs, Utility Models and Trademarks published by the Industrial Property Office, was only available in printed format from KIPI‘s offices at a prescribed fee. However, with effect from the 1st October 2011, the Industrial Property Journal is now available online for free. This is a widely … Continue reading »

IP Crammer 2011: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Intellectual Property in Kenya

Afro Leo a.k.a the Lion that tweets has let the cat out of the bag about this year’s IP Crammer which I assume will be similar to a previous one he attended. Anyways, his roar to African IP observers and commentators in regard to the IP Crammer was loud and clear: “What are the top … Continue reading »

Will An Affordable Authentication Device Encourage Copyright Registration in Kenya?

Today the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) officially announced via twitter and on its website the much anticipated reduction of the price of the Anti-Piracy Security Device (APSD). And so with effect from August 2011, Legal Notice No. 103 states that the APSD will now be sold by KECOBO at Kshs. 4.00. The issue of the … Continue reading »