News & Insights
Zambia makes trade mark data available online
The Patents and Companies Registration Agency of Zambia (PACRA) has made its trade mark data of more than 60 000 trade marks available online on the TMview search tool from 13 June 2022. TMview now contains data from 77 participating offices and provides information and access to more than 106,5 million trade marks. TMview was […]
July 13 2022
KENYA - MultiChoice Kenya wins court battle against piracy
MultiChoice Kenya has won a court battle against internet service providers Safaricom and Jamii Telecom after the High Court issued a directive ordering them to take down pirated content. MultiChoice Kenya filed the case in 2019 seeking to compel the internet service providers to block live streaming of sports on its networks after it had […]
July 13 2022
To Substitute, or Not to Substitute: When will the court grant a substitution order?
The South African courts have seen a rise in litigation dealing with substitution orders, within the area of public procurement law, since the seminal Constitutional Court judgement of Trencon Construction (Pty) Limited v Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited 2015 (5) SA 245 (CC) (“Trencon”). Despite this rise, it would seem that orders of […]
July 06 2022
INSURANCE LAW: SIGNIFICANCE OF FIRE INSURANCE AS WINTER WILDFIRES LIKELY TO BREAKOUT
As if there have not been enough fires in the country for 2022, there is an expected rise in wildfires as the winter season is in full swing. With strong and harsh winds that naturally come in the month of July, wildfires are to be expected and businesses and individuals alike will need to be […]
July 05 2022
THE LAUNCH OF THE LEGAL SERVICES OMBUD IN SOUTH AFRICA
Most South Africans are not aware of the different platforms available to them in situations when they are aggrieved by the conduct of a legal practitioner. Some of these platforms are more expensive than others, depending on various factors which differ from case to case. One of the most recently introduced platforms is the Legal […]
June 28 2022
Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers: Why They Are Important for Success
Mergers are complicated and to be properly implemented they require mergers and acquisitions lawyers that have a lot of experience and knowledge of the legalities surrounding mergers. Whether it is to draft and implement agreements between the merging companies, or to assist in the compliance of the merger, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer is essential. […]
June 27 2022
The Laws and Acquisitions in South Africa: Types of Acquisitions
In the world of corporate finance, an acquisition is considered to be a transaction in which an individual or entity (company) purchases some or all of the shares of a business. In South Africa, mergers and acquisitions are in part regulated by the Companies Act No 71 of 2008 (Companies Act). Acquisitions are a popular […]
June 27 2022
Answering the Question: What Are the Different Types of Trade Marks?
The registration of trade marks under the Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act 194 of 1993), can be vital to the success and protection of your brand. In South Africa, a trade mark is registered with theCompanies and Intellectual Property Commission (“CIPC”), beingthe national authority that is responsible for the national trade mark register for South […]
June 21 2022
Conveyancing Attorneys: What They Do and Why You Need One
Buying a new home or property is an exciting prospect; however, the process may seem complicated and many do not fully understand the costs involved. In this article, we will discuss how conveyancing fees work, but more importantly, whether you need a conveyancing attorney and what a conveyancing attorney does. What Do Conveyancing Attorneys Do? […]
June 21 2022
Trade Marks: Overview of procedure and fees
It goes without saying that it is extremely important to protect your brand and the trade marks signifying it. Registration of your trade marks will serve to deter potential infringement and will offer an easy remedy in instances of actual infringement. Registering your trade marks correctly and securing adequate protection can, however, be a daunting […]
June 21 2022
Types of Intellectual Property: Trade Marks
A trade mark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods / services of one entity from that of another. In other words, it is allows for a product or service to be identified as belonging to an individual or business and functions to distinguish the particular goods / services from those of others in […]
June 21 2022
DELICTUAL LIABILITY FOR SPORTS’ INJURIES AND FATALITIES
Delictual claims ordinarily dominate our courts. This is evident from the annual statistics relating to legal claims against various organs of the State and departments of government. Not only do such claims get instituted against public entities, but there are also various claims of such nature against private institutions. What is seldom, however, is to […]
June 15 2022
High court judge finds spousal visa rules unconstitutional
Gone are the days where spousal visas of a foreigner, who has parental responsibility and rights in South Africa, expire upon the termination of the spousal relationship which formed the basis of the visa. Foreign parents and caregivers of South African children shall now be allowed to remain in South Africa, even after their relationship […]
June 14 2022
Selling your artwork on consignment
“One of the things I like about our contract is that you have relieved me of a great deal of personal interviewing and corresponding, among other things, which allows me a lot more time for painting” – E.J. Hughes The South African art market has shown exponential growth over the last two decades and the […]
June 13 2022
THE FIRST MANUAL FOR GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
A comprehensive manual on geographical Indicators in Africa has been developed by several experts under the auspices of the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation project in Africa (AfrIPI). The manual is available online in English and French. Geographical Indications (GIs) have been receiving increasing attention on national and international level by producers, consumers, and policymakers […]
June 10 2022
Winds of change in OAPI Top Management
The Board of Directors authorised the launch of a recruitment procedure for a new CEO, subsequent to the dismissal, with immediate effect, of the Deputy Director General (DGA) of OAPI, Mr Jean-Baptiste Noël Wago on 13 May 2022. This is unfortunately a further difficulty with top management as the CEO, Ivorian Denis Bohoussou Loukou, was […]
June 10 2022
OAPI CALLS ON BURKINA FASO FOR SUPPORT
A Delegation from OAPI visited Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on 13 May 2022 as part of the 8th extraordinary session of the Board of Directors of OAPI to meet with the prime minister, Mr Albert Ouédraogo. The aim of the meeting was to obtain the support of the Burkinabe government during what appears to be […]
June 10 2022
LIBERIA: MINISTRY CRACKDOWN ON PIRATES TO PROTECT CREATORS
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) in Liberia recently took drastic action against piracy by shutting down businesses offering local and international pirated goods, related primarily to the entertainment industry. The aim is to get rid of any black-market goods altogether. Piracy is considered a serious offence in the territory, with sanctions such as […]
June 10 2022