25-26 March 2026 - Sandton Convention Centre
Ms. Amanda Lotheringen has played a pivotal role in South Africa’s intellectual property (IP) enforcement since joining the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 1993. Currently the Senior Manager for Copyright and IP Enforcement at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), she has made significant contributions, including implementing the Counterfeit Goods Act and establishing the first counterfeit goods depot in the country.
Recognized internationally, she served as Vice-Chair and later chaired the Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) of WIPO. Her work emphasizes collaboration, capacity building, and education in IP enforcement and has led to the creation of strategic partnerships within various industries. She founded the Intergovernmental Enforcement Committee (IGEC) to enhance coordination in addressing counterfeit goods.
Lotheringen pioneered a customized training manual for law enforcement, acknowledged by WIPO as a unique resource for developing countries, and developed the Accurate Justifiable Stats (AJS) mobile application for tracking counterfeit trends. She is committed to environmental sustainability, leading a project to upcycle seized counterfeit goods into useful products.
An advocate for IP awareness among small and micro enterprises, she has authored educational materials and participated in knowledge-sharing initiatives. Lotheringen is also dedicated to empowering women in the IP sector, being a mentor in the Global Mentoring Pilot Programme and establishing the first African ChIPs chapter to promote gender equality. Her contributions to advancing women’s leadership in IP are recognized globally, with ongoing efforts to support diversity and inclusion in the field.
