News > Intellectual Property
 Proprietors and practitioners alike are expressing concern about the protection of Intellectual Property rights in the recently constituted territory of the Republic of South Sudan (“South Sudan”). This article is a brief report on the existence of Intellectual Property related laws and institutions in South Sudan. |
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 Our Copyright Act (Act 98 of 1978 as amended) provides protection for various works inter alia novels, textbooks and stage plays (literary works), paintings and photographs(artistic works) and songs (musical works). As a creator and copyright owner of literary, artistic and musical works you acquire a right (among other rights) to prevent others from using your work without your permission. |
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Event organisers, clubs, disco's and others in the entertainment industry, distribute promotional material advertising well known artist's as part of the line-up. This has the effect of drawing huge crowds and the benefits to such events are obvious - more people equals more sales at the bar and the kitchen. This also raises the profile of the disco or club concerned considerably. It is therefore advisable that artist be in a position to monopolise their names and to dictate who and how such a valuable asset is to be used. |
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 South Africa is constantly producing world class talent. New bands appear regularly on the South African music scene. It seems that bands have a special ability to understand the allure and attraction of memorable names – the first step in drawing in the crowds. Good examples are some of the most famous and beloved South African bands, like The Parlotones, Prime Circle and Freshly Ground. |
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If you have written a piece of music or lyrics for a song, or if you are an artist performing a song, or a record company making sound recordings, chances are you are the owner of certain rights (copyright) which subsist in these works in terms of the Copyright Act and royalties may be due to you whenever the work is copied, adapted or played in public. |
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 “Rwanda has become the latest African country to join the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO). The country deposited its Instrument of Accession on 24 June 2011 and the Harare Protocol will enter into force on 24 September 2011. |
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On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the world's newest country. “The embryonic government has anticipated and already put in place significant steps in order to attract investors to the country, which will be fundamental to its sustained development,” says Nicky Garnett, Head of Africa Patent Department at attorneys Adams & Adams. |
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On Thursday 4 August 2011, The Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), together with the Standing Advisory Committee of Intellectual Property (SAC), held an Indaba primarily to look at the updating of a large number of intellectual property statutes including the Trade Marks Act, Patents Act, Designs Act and the Copyright Act. It is not clear at this stage whether the Counterfeit Goods Act will also be looked at, although the Chairman of the SAC undertook to do so. |
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For a long time, many researchers have concentrated so persistently on developing methods and technologies for developing cures and treatments for diseases that other fields of research have been neglected. However, one problem that may be as devastating as disease is food shortage. |
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 Introduction The Genetically Modified Organisms Act 15 Of 1997 (the GMO Act) governs the responsible development, production, use and application of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and strives to ensure that all activities involving the use of GMOs (including importation, production, release and distribution) shall be carried out in such a way as to limit possible harmful consequences to the environment. |
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 Internationally renowned law firm - Adams & Adams Sponsors 2011 Young Creatives Category. A new and highly-original collaboration has been formed between The Loerie Awards, and distinguished law firm, Adams & Adams. The Loeries are synonymous with a celebration of the creative talents and brand communication in Africa. Adams & Adams has, in turn, been protecting the fruits of their clients’creativity in the form of brands, designs, patents and copyright for over 100 years. |
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The Republic of Rwanda deposited its instrument of accession to the Harare Protocol which governs patent and design filings in ARIPO on 22 May 2011. This means that Rwanda can be designated as a member state in an ARIPO patent or design application after22 August 2011. |
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The domain name world is set to change with the introduction of an expansive program for the existing number of generic top level domains (gTLD’s) beyond the .com, .net and .org names that are currently available. The new gTLD’s will be introduced to allow for a greater degree of innovation and choice in a world that already has over 1.6 billion internet users. |
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Since 1997, South Africa was a signatory of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (“WPPT”). The WPPT aims to address the challenges faced by performers in the digital environment of the 21st century, where information is disseminated over digital networks such as the internet and on the YOUTUBE video portal. |
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A recent Sudanese referendum voted that Southern Sudan break away from the Northern part of Sudan. |
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The firm practises directly in several Southern African countries and through long-established associates in others.
