Podcast – Colour marks, shape marks, and non-traditional trademarks in Africa

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Podcast – Colour marks, shape marks, and non-traditional trademarks in Africa

Sponsored by

Adams & Adams logo.jpg
900x505-article@2x.png

Lauren Ross and Melissa Morris of Adams & Adams discuss the strategic opportunities and challenges in protecting non-traditional trademarks across the continent’s diverse legal and regulatory landscape

It is becoming increasingly important to think beyond logos and brand names when considering the strategic potential of trademarks. A podcast sponsored by Adams & Adams explains why marks such as colours, shapes, and sounds can be powerful assets and explores how their protection and enforcement is handled in Africa.

Adams & Adams partner Lauren Ross and senior associate Melissa Morris share their insights into the continent’s legal landscape with Phil Myers, the commercial editor of Managing IP. The podcast addresses the following key points, among others:

  • Why non-traditional marks are of growing significance in terms of brand distinction globally;

  • How key African countries and multinational organisations handle the issue;

  • The main challenges in the enforcement of such marks; and

  • Best practices for law firms and clients in managing non-traditional marks.

Listen in as Lauren and Melissa explain the vital role of law firms as brands consider how to differentiate themselves in digital spaces – and how African frameworks are evolving to adapt to the new landscape.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Michelle Lee discusses reaching milestones at the USPTO, AI’s role in legal work, and empowering women in tech and IP law
Executive chair Matt Dixon, who reveals a new associate hire, says the firm wants to offer a realistic pathway to partnership while avoiding the ‘corporate machine’ route
Mayer Brown’s role in cardiovascular technology dispute reflects how firms are pursuing precedent-setting cases to try and guide AI and patent law
Kevin Mack, Via’s new president, emphasises the importance of collaborative licensing structures and shares how AI tools can help create new lines of business
A Tokyo District Court ruling concerning movie spoilers, and a second chance for VLSI against Intel were also among the top talking points
Practitioners believe new AI tools at the USPTO will not replace lawyers or disrupt revenue, but instead expose where a trademark attorney’s value lies
Leighton Cassidy Legal hopes to leverage its founder's international experience and provide clients with a rare chance to receive litigation and prosecution under one umbrella
UKIPO rejects trademark application for 'Cristiano Ronaldo Origins' following opposition by Beck Greener client in a rare case that considered actual use
Partners at both firms have voted in favour of the tie-up, which marks ‘the largest law firm merger in history’
Head of IP, Andrew Brennan, and new partner, France Delord, explain how tech provides an edge in the battle for global brand owners’ business
Gift this article