should be broadened in order to accommodate and grant protection for inventions which may not necessarily be in physical or tangible form but are ideas that are new and result from inventive activity in accordance with the act.
There are presently a number of cases before the Nigerian courts in which the patentability of business methods has come up for determination. It is hoped that judicial pronouncements in these cases will clarify and make more certain this aspect of IP law in Nigeria. In conclusion, it is hoped that the debate on this issue in Nigeria may soon be resolved.
Tiwalola Okeyinka is an associate at ǼLEX. She can be contacted at: tokeyinka@aelex.com
Tiwalola Okeyinka’s main practice areas include IP and corporate commercial. She has advised on IPR, filed trademarks and patent applications, advised on infringement of trademarks and patents, and reviewed and advised on trademark licensing agreements and registration in Nigeria.