Nigeria has the potential to become one of the largest export markets for the US creative sector. Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary for economic and business affairs, United States department of state, says the US government is willing to invest in Nigeria’s creative economy. The U.S. mission in Nigeria has been supporting the Africa International Film […]

In the recent case of Ekpenyong v The National Assembly & 2 Others, the Federal High Court of Nigeria declared the existence of the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) unconstitutional. The APC was established in 2020 as an administrative tribunal intended to resolve disputes arising from the operation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act or its […]

On 31 August, African Traditional Medicine Day, established by the World Health Organisation African region, honours the integral role of traditional medicine in the health and welfare of generations of people on the continent. The event serves as a platform for member states to discuss best practices, groundbreaking evidence, and innovative solutions that showcase the […]

The Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2023 (BFA) was promulgated on 14th of February 2023, which had a causal effect on various laws, including the Nigerian Trade Marks Act 1965. The BFA amended the definition of “goods” in the Trade Marks Act, to include “services”, thereby expanding the scope of protection under the law and […]

On 14 February 2023 the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2023 (BFA) was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is aimed at facilitating business operations and promoting the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The BFA made amendments to 21 business facilitation laws and also brought about changes to the Nigerian Trade […]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken a hard line against infringement of literary works by enforcing harsher penalties as part of its national anti-piracy campaign. Mr John Asien, the NCC Director-General, addressed the need to increase enforcement, as well as having the necessary mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of copyright, during a […]

An urgent meeting was held at the Patents and Designs Registry on March 9, 2023 between the Chief Registrar, Officials of the Registry and Nigerian Agents to discuss certain aspects of filing processes within the Registry which have been reviewed.

Nigeria enacts Copyright Act, 2022 to repeal the Copyright Act, 2004 The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, signed the Copyright Bill, 2022 into law on 17 March 2023.  This Act, that will presumably be known as the Copyright Act of 2023, repeals the Copyright Act of 2004. A statement issued by the Office of the […]

A letter dated 12 January 2023 and issued by President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed the renewal of Dr. John Asein’s tenure as Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. Dr. Asein’s tenure was renewed for a second and final tenure of four (4) years. The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) congratulated Dr. John Asein […]

Inaugural meeting of the drafting committee for Trade Mark Practice Directions. Renewal of tenure of the DG of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. Drafting committee for Trade Mark Practice Directions The Nigerian Trade Marks Registry has constituted a five-person drafting committee, in collaboration with various stakeholders, to work towards preparing a long-awaited, draft practice directive for […]