Our Strategy
Why SINTEPO?
SINTEPO is borne on the premise that Kenya’s economy is amongst the fastest growing in Africa. The firm’s strategy is based on the Kenya’s Vision 2030 which the country’s development blueprint covering the period between 2008 to 2030. The Vision aims to help transform Kenya into a, “middle-income country providing a high quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030” riding on the three “pillars” namely; the economic, the social and the political. As a result, the country’s growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) nearly doubled in 2010 to reach 5.0%. With its Vision 2030 and new Constitution in place, it is estimated that the macroeconomic performance of the Kenyan economy will improve significantly compared with 2011. SINTEPO intends to capitalize on the adoption of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as an implementation tool for both the Economic and Social Pillars by offering legal and technical services for those who generate and nurture innovation. The existing strong IP protection regime in the country is likely to attract foreign direct investment, increase technology transfer, franchising all of which will require services of intellectual property experts such as the SINTEPO team. For instance, the Chinese direct investments in Kenya have escalated with an increase in the number of small to medium-sized Chinese firms specializing in auto repair and maintenance, home furnishings, construction equipment and agricultural machinery in Kenya.
Since the early years of 2000, Kenya has been building new economic partnerships with African, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries. For imports, Kenya has of late increased its import trade relations with the US, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Japan, Singapore and China. For its exports, Kenya has concentrated on the African markets with Rwanda and Egypt as key targets. Both import and export investors need intellectual property services in trade names in order to enjoy freedom-to operate in the market.
The ongoing integration of the East African Community provides Kenyan firms which are more competitive than their regional counterparts will require IP protection in the region, especially in the two key drivers of economic development namely; agriculture and manufacturing. In addition, an expanding informal sector engaged in small-scale manufacturing of household goods, motor-vehicle parts, and farm tools will require services of patent agents such as SINTEPO for protection and safeguard of their trademarks, designs and utility models. The current economic stimulus programme, funding public projects in agriculture, services, infrastructure, health and education as well as various community-based initiatives through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Group funds (Youth and Women Fund) will play a key role in encouraging innovation and adoption of appropriate technologies.
The vibrant Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector has actively contributed to economic growth in recent years. The main fixed line telephone service provider, Telkom Kenya has diversified to other services including enhanced voice and data services due to intense competition from more convenient and affordable mobile phones. Innovation in this sector was reported at 51.2 per 100 inhabitants. Mobile phone money transfer service is a Kenyan innovation that has performed outstandingly well over time which is estimated to attract over 17.5 million subscribers by December 2011. All mobile phone service providers have established numerous service marks for their services including money transfer services all of which requires services of intellectual property agents.
In Kenya, the Internet market has continued to expand due to increased access of Internet services through mobile phones as a result of innovations in Internet access by operators from the standard personal computer to mobile handset and portable broadband Internet modems. These innovations require legal and technical IP services that are readily available at SINTEPO.
Konza Technology City offers all the benefits of a Greenfield, ‘clean sheet’ site but which is nevertheless right at the centre of things: 60km from the heart of Nairobi; 50Km from Jomo Kenyatta international airport; 500Km from Mombasa and its ports; the railway within 4Km. It thought to be where “Africa’s silicon savannah begins.” Konza is set to be one of the most successful cities in Africa, competing economically and culturally with the best cities in the world. Investors have invited to take advantage of Konza’s assumed phenomenal growth and some of the world’s most successful companies, the most talented people and major international investors plan to come to Konza. SINTEPO comes in handy to provide legal and technical services to investors and businessmen in Konza who will require Technology Transfer Agreements, Non-disclosure Agreements, etc..
SINTEPO is 5 minutes drive to the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the national intellectual property office for registration of patents, trademarks and designs. Its proximity to IP Office gives the firm an added advantage over other patent agents.
Practice Areas
Our practice includes all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, design, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. We also represent clients on IP issues related to international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, e-commerce and domain name. The firm’s clients do business in a variety of domestic and international markets and operate in major industry sectors, including software, hardware, Pharmaceuticals, Bio-Technology, Life Sciences, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, media and e-commerce, semiconductor and nanotechnology.
Our goal is to help clients carefully plan for and obtain intellectual property protection to exploit their intellectual property through commercial agreements, and to aggressively prosecute and defend our client’s rights in cases of infringement or misappropriation disputes.
1. Patents
Our patent Lawyers & Consultants have extensive experience assisting clients in establishing patent acquisition programs tailored to their current and projected needs, and in developing imaginative and effective strategies for the utilization of patents to build value for our clients’ businesses, enhance their competitiveness, and facilitate their freedom of action. Our patent trial attorneys have extensive experience in patent litigation should our clients be sued, or should they need to protect or assert their patents through litigation or in the United States Patent & Trademark Office, European Patent Office or ARIPO. Our trial teams have represented clients in dozens of jurisdictions across the country and before the International Trade Commission. The Firm represents clients in international IP protection.
2. Trademarks
SINTEPO has one of the largest trademark prosecution and enforcement programs in Kenya. Our trademark agents and attorneys represent a complete spectrum of clients in trademark matters, ranging from billion dollar corporations to start-up companies. We represent a wide range of clients, from those in high technology and biotech industries to restaurants, cosmetic companies, bicycle companies and retail establishments, to name a few.
Our skilled trial attorneys represent clients in all phases of trademark litigation, including obtaining or defending against temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions. Our trial teams represent clients in Kenyan courts, but can also represent clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and before the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN—the organization responsible for resolution of domain name disputes.) SINTEPO has foreign associates worldwide to assist in international litigation.
3. Copyright and Related Rights
New technologies have radically increased the speed of distribution of protected materials and forever altered the boundaries of traditional copyright law. With the click of a mouse, a thousand-page book can be transmitted around the world within seconds, and a copyrighted work can be posted on a website for millions to see, copy, and download to their very own PC. Our intellectual property trial attorneys handle all types of copyright infringement disputes. We have extensive experience handling copyright infringement disputes in areas as varied as software, literature, entertainment, and graphic design. SINTEPO lawyers represented the copyright holder in filing for copyright. We currently represent three famous copyright, design, patent and trademark holders in Kenya.
4. Industrial Designs
Our patent attorneys counsel clients on the availability of design protection and then prosecute appropriate design applications. Our trial attorneys have extensive experience in design litigation should our clients be sued, or should they need to protect or assert their designs/ industrial design through litigation or at the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
5. Geographical Indications
The Kenyan Government is developing Geographical Indications Bill that we be transformed into Act in the near future. This will afford protection to goods that can be identified as originating or manufactured in the territory of a country or a region or locality in that territory where a given quantity, reputation or other characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical conditions. The term of Geographical Indication will initially cover for a period of 10 years be may be renewed from time to time.
6. Intellectual Property and Technology Litigations
SINTEPO Intellectual Property Litigation Team provides a full range of litigation services related to patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and other related areas of intellectual property law. We represent individuals and businesses of all kinds, including biotechnology and high technology companies in the computer, semiconductor, software, electronics, medical, retail, entertainment, manufacturing and service industries.
7. Criminal
We counsel clients on a wide range of technology and intellectual property matters that implicate criminal laws. Our expertise covers every stage of criminal proceedings, from advice regarding compliance programs and representation during investigative stages, including Grand Jury proceedings, to trial and appeal. Our expertise is drawn from former prosecutors with significant national and international experience.
This is only a summary of SINTEPO’s legal services for intellectual property and technology litigation matters. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions regarding our experience in, and qualifications for, specific matters.
Members of Staff
SINTEPO is comprised of a team of experienced professionals, well versed in all matters of IP law. The Branch has a Team Leader and Project Manager, both of whom are registered Patent Agents. They are assisted by Associates who work in liaison with an administrative assistant and support staff.
Members of Staff
SINTEPO is comprised of a team of experienced professionals, well versed in all matters of IP law. The Branch has a Team Leader and Project Manager, both of whom are registered Patent Agents. They are assisted by Associates who work in liaison with an administrative assistant and support staff.
Senior Associates
1. Anne W Munene
Qualifications;
• LLB Hons (University of Nairobi), Post Graduate Diploma (Kenya School of Law)
• Diploma in Intellectual Property (WIPO Academy)
• Patent Agent
• Member Law Society of Kenya
• Member East Africa Law Society
Key Practice Areas :My practice areas include all areas of Intellectual Property law including but not limited to patents, utility models, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and related rights and matters relating to plant breeders rights. I routinely advise and assist clients in the identification, protection, transfer and licensing of their intellectual property and I carry out registration both locally and internationally under the various intellectual property regimes across the globe. I also represent clients in local or international opposition, expungement, infringement and passing off actions.
I also practice as a commercial and property lawyer and I have experience in drafting contracts, handling sale, purchase, leasing and mortgaging of property transactions from end to end..
When not offering legal solutions to clients, I enjoy carrying out charity work and travelling locally.
Contact
Email: anne@sichangi.com
2. Babyline Bett - Legal Assistant
Qualifications;
• LLB Hons (Busoga University – Uganda)
• A pupil currently awaiting admission for my Post-Graduate Diploma in Law at the Kenya School of Law.
Key Practice Areas
Intellectual Property Law
-Trademarks Searches, registration, renewals, assignments, Licenses, change of name and address, Patents and other Intellectual Property Law rights at the relevant Government agencies
Conveyance and Commercial Law
Preparation and registration of Legal documents but not limited to Charges, Transfers, Mortgages, Leases to effect various transactions.
Contacts
Email: bbett@sichangi.com