Towards the Harmonisation of Trade Mark Laws in Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Selected Infringement Provisions

• Jurisdiction: South Africa
• Date: 16 August 2019
• Citation: (2015) 2(2) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 98
• Pages: 98-126
• Author: Yeukai Mupangavanhu
• Published date: 16 August 2019

TOWARDS THE HARMONISATION

OF TRADE MARK LAWS IN AFRICA:

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED

INFRINGEMENT PROVISIONS

YEUKAI MUPANGAVANHU*

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape

The lack of coherence in negotiations for intellectual property protection, including trade

marks, in part due to differences in the relevant legislation, is a factor that undermines

Africa’s regional economic development. Economic integration cannot progress when the

laws are divergent since disparities may hinder the f‌low of goods and services. The article

examines an aspect of the trade mark laws of selected African countries, namely South

Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Cameroon, with a view to making suggestions for their

integration into a single regional law.In order to determine the similarities and differences

in the laws, the infringement provisions and their interpretationin case law are analysed.

This article attempts to demonstrate that a regional approach can only realise its full

potential if it is based on a clear understanding of the areas of convergenceand divergence in

Africa’strade mark laws. The similarities in the trade marks laws are important since they

form an existing basis for harmonisation while the divergent provisions must then be

harmonised. It is argued that an effective trade mark protection system is necessary to

promote the free movement of goods and services, and to attract foreign direct investment

— which is important for Africa to remain competitive.

Keywords: harmonisation, trademarks, infringement, similarities, differ-

ences, economic integration

[La manque de cohérence dans les négociations pour la protection de la propriété

intellectuelle, y compris les marques de commerce, causée en partie par des différences dans

la législation pertinente, est un facteur qui e le développement économique régional de

l’Afrique. L’intégration économique ne peut pas progresserquand les lois sont divergentes

et les disparités sont susceptibles d’entraver la circulation des marchandises ou des services.

L’article examine un aspect des lois sur les marquesde commer ce de certains pays africains,

à savoir l’Afrique du Sud, le Zimbabwe, le Kenya et le Cameroun, en vue de faire des

suggestions pour leur intégration dans une loi régionale unique. Af‌in de déterminer les

similitudes et les différences dans les lois, les dispositions relatives à l’infraction et leur

interprétation dans la jurisprudence, sont analysées.

Cet article tente de démontrer qu’une approche régionale peut réaliser son plein potentiel

seulement s’il est basé sur une compréhension claire des domaines de convergence et de

divergence dans les lois sur les marques de commerce en Afrique. Les similitudes dans les

lois sur les marques de commerce sont importantes car ils constituent une base existante

d’harmonisation alors que les dispositions divergentes doivent ensuite être harmonisées.

On fait valoir qu’un système de protection eff‌icace des marques de commerce est nécessaire

pour promouvoir la libre circulation des biens et des services, et pour attirer les

investissements directs étrangers qui sont très importants pour la compétitivité économique

de l’Afrique.]

* LLB (UFH) LLM LLD (UWC).

98

(2015) 2(2) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 98

© Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd

Mot clés: harmonisation, marques de commerce, infraction, similar-

ités, différences

Introduction

The article undertakes a comparative analysis of the trade mark laws of

selected African countries, namely Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and

Cameroon (‘the selected systems’).

1

It particularly identif‌ies the similarities

and differences in the infringement provisions and examines how these

provisions have been applied in case law. Infringement provisions are

signif‌icant since they protect the rights acquired by registration of a trade

mark. They allow the trade mark owner to obtain relief in cases where his or

her rights have been infringed. Accordingly, the discussion is limited to

registered trade marks and how they can be infringed under each system.

A clear understanding of the areas of convergence and divergence in

Africa’s trade mark laws is necessary for any harmonisation to take place.

While similarities in the trade mark laws are, on the one hand, important

since they form an existing basis for harmonisation, on the other hand, an

understanding of the divergent provisions is necessary since it determines the

areas that must be harmonised. It is argued that an effective trade mark

protection system is necessary to promote international trade and foreign

direct investment.

The article is divided into four parts. Part one contains a brief discussion of

trade mark protection in Africa in light of the regional intellectual property

organisations that exist and their impact. Part two examines the infringement

provisions of each of the selected countries and the relevant case law. Only

some of the requirements that appear crucial in proving an infringement

action are discussed since some of them may not be diff‌icult to prove; for

example, ‘unauthorised use’ and ‘in the course of trade’. Part three consists of

a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in the infringement

provisions of the selected countries, and the causes of these similarities and

differences are discussed. Attention is also paid to some of the international

instruments aimed at harmonising trade mark laws and procedures across the

globe. The last part deals with the question of whether it is possible to

harmonise trade marks laws in Africa and, if so, how this could be achieved.

Part One: An Overview of Trade Mark Protection inAfrica

The protection of trade marks varies across Africa because each country has

its own laws.

2

A trade mark is territorial in nature and can only be enforced in

1

These countries were selected on the basis of their legal systems (civil law and

common law), membership of regional systems, and adoption of new trade mark

laws.

2

Jeffrey M Samuels & Linda B Samuels ‘The changing landscape of international

trade mark law’ (1994) 27 GeorgeWashington Journal of International Law and Economics

433.

TOWARDS THE HARMONISATION OF TRADE MARK LAWS INAFRICA 99

© Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd