Enforcement

The Harare Protocol, one of ARIPO’s cornerstone agreements, allows applicants to secure protection for patents, utility models, and industrial designs through a single ARIPO application, with the same effect as if filed directly in each designated member state. This regional mechanism has long been a valuable tool for rights holders seeking efficient, centralized IP protection across participating African jurisdictions. In this context, we would like to highlight the recent expansion of the system.

As of March 1, 2025, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has enacted a series of major amendments to its governing legal instrument, the Harare Protocol, which regulates the procedure for the protection of patents and industrial designs among its member states.

Vítor Palmela Fidalgo shares his insights in "Platforms Pay the Price", published in WIPR – World IP Review, Issue 1 (2025), which explores the growing accountability of online platforms as evolving European regulations push them to take greater responsibility for counterfeit goods sold by third-party vendors.

The intersection of intellectual property (IP) and genomics is reshaping the landscape of healthcare, biotechnology, and business in Nigeria. Genomics—the study of an organism’s entire genetic material—has profound implications for medical research, personalised medicine, agriculture, and pharmaceutical innovations. However, ensuring equitable benefits and commercial viability requires a robust IP framework.

From music and film to fashion and digital content, Nigeria’s creative sectors are thriving on a global scale. 

Olusola Tunmise-Ajani explores how strengthening legal frameworks and enhancing awareness of intellectual property rights can empower Nigerian creatives to protect, structure, and monetise their creative works.

During the interview, Angela highlighted the music industry and emphasized the importance of artists actively safeguarding their creative works and legal rights.

Access the full interview here.

In a recent interview with FICPI for World IP Day 2025, Joana Fialho Pinto, Trademark and Patent Attorney at Inventa, shared how she combines her legal expertise with her passion for music. 

Joana highlights the importance of trademark law in the music industry, examines the impact of AI on creativity, and emphasizes how intellectual property fosters both artistic expression and commercial success in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Every year, WIPO dedicates a theme to World Intellectual Property Day, celebrated on April 26th. In 2025, the theme is 'IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,' aiming to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property in the music sector.

In this latest edition, Inventa contributes an in-depth analysis of Portugal’s trademark framework, covering key aspects such as requirements, procedural timelines, opposition mechanisms, and the interplay with related rights.

On April 8, the first in-person meeting of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Vítor Palmela Fidalgo, Legal Director at Inventa and the Portugal’s representative of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) Committee, attended the session, contributing to ongoing efforts to structure the Court’s Mediation and Arbitration Center and to define specific topics essential to the development of PMAC’s operations.