Adams & Adams the largest Intellectual law firm in the Southern Hemisphere will tomorrow – 19 September - host the biggest Intellectual Property seminar of its kind on the African continent when it welcomes 50 representatives from 25 different countries to its head office in Pretoria South Africa.

With a life span of over 100 years, Adams & Adams has achieved prominence in its area of practice which is evidenced by its presence in various African countries including those countries that fall within the purview of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), based in Harare, Zimbabwe as well as the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) based in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The keynote speaker at the seminar is the preeminent Gift Sibanda, current Director General of ARIPO. Sibanda has worked with national regional and international organisations in the field of intellectual property. Sibanda is currently – among others – a member of the advisory board of the Worldwide Academy, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Standards Association (SAZ) and Chairman of the Consultative Committee of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Sibanda will examine the scope and rationale of Intellectual Property. This includes Intellectual Property rights in an African context. Sibanda will also touch on the role that Intellectual Property plays in economic growth. Protection of Intellectual Property is another area of focus, as is the automation of IP offices.

Sibanda is of the belief that if Intellectual Property is well utilised and afforded to operate in a conducive environment it can contribute extensively towards economic development in Africa. In his respect Sibanda calls for a concerted effort involving private and public partnership (PPP) to be considered.

Written by Nicky Garnett – partner at Adams & Adams
Contact 012 432 6000