Intellectual Property

‘Recognised for its excellent IP coverage in East Africa’ – Chambers and Partners, 2022

  • Overview

Overview

With a robust historical economic growth rate and a middle class population of over 35 million, East Africa remains an investment destination of choice for investors seeking to expand their operations into Africa.

The entry of multiple brands into the region has made the ability to register and protect the rights that investors and clients obtain in their products, services and brands an essential success component in the business environment.

Securing a knowledgeable and experienced legal adviser who understands the local complexities with the appropriate track record in navigating the legal landscape is pivotal to this success.

Working as one team coordinated across three jurisdictional offices, our unparalleled dedicated East Africa Intellectual Property (IP) Practice handles:

  • IP litigation focussing on trade marks, patents, designs and copyright infringements;
  • multi-jurisdictional anti-counterfeits actions/ raids;
  • trade mark oppositions and expungement matters;
  • designs and patent revocations;
  • brand migration advice;
  • IP due diligence;
  • franchising; and
  • competition and IP opinions.

We act for clients both locally and internationally under the Madrid and ARIPO systems of registration, and help our clients with national protection in other countries worldwide through a network of associate agent law firms.

Our clients include leading multinationals from around the world within the financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and technology, media and telecommunications sectors.


Chambers and Partners, 2022

‘market-leading intellectual property group with an enviable roster of global clients, including e-commerce companies, banks and consumer goods corporations’

‘highly adept in the handling of regional mandates, notably advising on trade mark registration and infringements, counterfeiting and general portfolio management’

‘Recognised for its excellent IP coverage in East Africa’

‘Top-drawer expertise in IP litigation, including opposition proceedings and patent prosecutions’

Legal 500, 2021

‘established presence in intellectual property disputes’

World Trademark Review 1000, 2020

‘Known for its high commercial awareness and ability to get in-sync with clients on a business level’

‘’knowledgeable, thorough and experienced’ practitioners offer tailored strategic advice to household brands’