Opposition Deadline –Volume 1. No. 4 of the Nigerian Trademark Journal

The Opposition Deadline for the Nigerian Trademark Journal dated 30th of June, 2020 falls on Monday, the 31st of August, 2020 (the 30th of August, 2020 is a Sunday). The current Journal is a compilation of marks filed using the online platform, marks filed manually before the introduction of the IPAS platform and marks filed using the IPAS platform.

It is interesting to note that local proprietors in Nigeria have the highest number of filings in this Journal. This reflects a steady rise in the awareness for brands/trademarks protection. The number of filings from other countries especially the United States of America, China, Germany and India shows a steady growth of foreign businesses and investment into the country.

For a detailed breakdown of filings per country please send an email to ip@tnp.com.ng

Lagos State Censors Board Issues a 30-Day Mandatory Registration Notice on Content Creators

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (the “Censors Board”), Mr. Bamidele Balogun, during the unveiling of a new platform by the Performing Musicians Employers Association (PMAN) and Lafrique Promedia for tracking and generating revenue for entertainers, disclosed that the Censors Board issued a 30- day notice mandating content producers within the state to register their content with the body. Failure to register the content would attract severe sanctions from the Censors Board.

According to him, all audio and visual content produced and sold within Lagos State shall attract the payment of a five percent (5%) levy on each item, and the overall objective of the initiative is to assist the Lagos State Government in policy formulation to plan and fund for the sector.