The MARQUES Brands and Marketing Team has published a new paper titled “Demystifying Africa: Considerations for a Trade Mark Filing Strategy in Africa”.

Written by Team member Simonne Moodie of Von Seidels in South Africa, the paper outlines some general practical considerations as well as a possible strategic approach for filing trade marks in Africa.

It states: “Fortunately, there has been more focus lately on the opportunities offered in Africa, with a number of these negative perceptions either being expelled by a glimpse into how African countries actually operate, or by the negatives being outweighed by the positive growth prospects for businesses in Africa. Many successful businesses have learnt how to overcome the challenges faced and turn their African expertise into a competitive advantage.”

The paper covers general practical consideration, including the cost of filing versus trying to enforce use rights; the difficulty of challenging marks filed in bad faith; costs of filing; and language and cultural considerations.

It also provides tips on developing a strategic approach to filing in Africa, addressing where to file based on key markets, the use of regional systems and countries with large economies.

MARQUES members can read and download the paper from the Team’s page on the MARQUES website (log-in required).