News & Insights
Mozambique: Accession to Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks
On 13 July 2023, Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs deposited the instrument of accession, signifying Mozambique’s accession to the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (“the Vienna Agreement”). The Vienna Agreement will enter into force in the Republic of Mozambique on 13 October 2023. The Vienna Agreement, adopted in […]
August 14 2023
South Africa: The Netball World Cup, a protected event in South Africa
The 2023 Netball World Cup was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa from 28 July to 6 August 2023. It has been a landmark event for the continent as this is the first time that this World Cup was hosted in Africa. As with the FIFA Soccer World Cup that was hosted by South Africa […]
August 14 2023
South Africa: The fate of plant-based meat alternatives
For those who may not be aware, in the last year, the plant-based food industry has come under fire in South Africa over using descriptive terms such as “burger”, “nugget” and “sausage” in relation to meat analogue products. In South Africa, meat analogue products are foodstuffs that approximate the aesthetic qualities, which include the primary […]
August 14 2023
SOUTH AFRICA - Plain packaging for tobacco products
Plain packaging for tobacco products? The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill has also been published for public comment. As with the version of the Bill published in 2018, the Bill seeks, inter alia, to empower the Minister to make regulations that will, effectively, introduce plain packaging for tobacco products. Although the deadline […]
August 14 2023
SOUTH AFRICA - Food labelling a sea change proposed
On 21 April 2023, the Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs (“the Regulations”) were published in the Government Gazette for public comment. The Regulations propose a substantial departure from South Africa’s current labelling regulations set out in R146. The Regulations introduce, for example, substantive changes to date marking and batch identification, as […]
August 14 2023
Ghana: The green light for the cultivation of “wee”
The Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 (“the Amendment Bill”) was, on 12 July 2023, passed into law in Ghana. The passing of the Narcotics Bill is a significant event as authorises the Minister of Interior to issue licenses permitting, in Ghana, the cultivation of cannabis, as well as the exploration of the properties of […]
August 14 2023
OAPI -The 9th edition of the African Exhibition of Invention and Innovative Enterprise
The ninth edition of African Exhibition of Invention and Innovative Enterprise (“Saiit”) was held in held Côte d’Ivoire on 24 to 26 July 2023. The Saait’s theme shining the spotlight on intellectual property, innovation and entrepreneurship. The Saiit, which is organised by OAPI, is held every two years and OAPI member states take turns hosting […]
August 14 2023
GHANA: A new Industrial Property Office may be on the cards
New legislation has been proposed in Ghana, the purpose of which is to establish a new Industrial Property Office in Ghana. The Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill, 2023 (“the Bill”) is currently pending before Parliament and has a way to go in the parliamentary process before the Bill can be assented to by the President. […]
August 14 2023
The Ticking Clock of Justice: Understanding Prescription in Medical Malpractice Claims
Prescription refers to the extinguishment of a legal claim or the loss of a right to take legal action due to the passage of time. The purpose behind prescription is to promote legal certainty, avoid stale claims, and provide a fair and just resolution to disputes. Prescription periods are set out in various laws and […]
August 08 2023
Know how to protect your Know-How
A company’s intrinsic expertise, ingenuity and savoir-faire are what makes it unique, marketable, and ultimately successful. When combined, these somewhat tenuous qualities, form part of the company’s intellectual property. How then does a company protect them in order to gain and maintain a competitive advantage? Almost anything that a company uniquely does or creates is […]
August 07 2023
A guide for first-time home buyers: A Conveyancer’s perspective
Congratulations on the purchase of your first property. While buying your first home is exciting, the process can often seem complex and feel overwhelming. With this guide we hope to provide some insight to first- time homebuyers. 1) The first step to buying a home is knowing what you can afford It is important to […]
August 04 2023
RISE IN UNNATURAL DEATHS’ INSURANCE CLAIMS: HOW DO LIFE POLICIES AND THESE CLAIMS WORK?
There have been reports regarding the rise of non-indemnity claims stemming from unnatural deaths. This is certainly worrying for life insurers. This is particularly concerning because life insurers have had to entertain several claims in the past couple of years due to Covid-19 related deaths, and subsequently, the July 2021 unrest and the 2022 Durban […]
August 03 2023
Truck Arson on the Rise Again: What This Means for the Insurance Industry?
The past few weeks have been engulfed with flames of truck arson attacks in South Africa. Over 20 trucks have been torched in various provinces including Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal, etc. While the sudden rise in these incidents is undoubtedly worrisome, one must bear in mind that truck attacks are not a novel phenomenon in […]
July 17 2023
Navigating IP Rights Issues in the Publicly Financed Research and Development Space
The South African Government introduced the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act No. 51 of 2008 (the IPR-PFRD Act) in order to provide for effective identification, protection and utilisation of intellectual property (IP) emanating from publicly financed research and development (R&D). The IPR-PFRD Act establishes the National Intellectual Property Management Office […]
July 13 2023
All for One, One for All
Twenty-nine years into democracy, our society continues to evolve and undertake efforts to reverse the injustices of our past. The legislature plays a huge role by changing legislation to ensure that it is in line with the goals South Africa wishes to achieve. The most recent proposed change, which we welcome, is the Draft Marriage […]
July 13 2023
Nothing but net – shooting too closely to the 2023 Netball World Cup?
The much-anticipated 2023 Netball World Cup is headed to Cape Town, South Africa from 28 July to 6 August 2023 and will be the first Netball World Cup to take place on the African continent. Hitting the headlines this week was the news that Discovery has withdrawn Vitality as the title sponsor of the event, […]
July 12 2023
MiWAY NOT GETTING ITS WAY IN A CAR THEFT CASE: VICTORY FOR THE INSUREDS
INTRODUCTION The North Gauteng High Court recently handed down a judgment which will undoubtedly gain support from many policyholders. Whilst the matter specifically relates to a car insurance claim, the principles laid down in this case will certainly find application in other insurance cases. The case is significant for both the insurers and the insureds […]
July 12 2023