News & Insights
A Possible Solution to the Difficulty in Quantifying Damages Claims in Counterfeit Goods Cases
The words of Coco Chanel: “If you want to be original, be ready to be copied” ring more true today than ever. According to the 2018 Global Brand Counterfeiting Report, the total value of counterfeit products globally is expected to reach 1.8 trillion dollars in 2020.
April 28 2020
Recovery of Judgment Debts From Organs of State - When Is It Appropriate to Issue a Writ of Execution?
Obtaining a favourable judgment against an Organ of State marks a day of success and promotes the feeling that justice has been served.
April 28 2020
Banks-Beware to Advance Funds to Clients Prematurely
Banks should take cognisance of the effect of Section 88 of the Insolvency Act when advancing funds to clients prior to the lodgement of a mortgage bond in the Deeds Office.
April 27 2020
Excessive pricing and COVID-19
Whilst many of us scramble to survive and limit the financial harm where possible, others opportunistic individuals and companies are trying to cash in on the panic by taking advantage of the public.
April 23 2020
Rights & Legal Recourse of Prisoners Amid the Increasing COVID-19 Infections in Prisons
The spread of the novel COVID-19 in South Africa has prompted the government to intensify its efforts in assisting the most vulnerable people in our country including the provision of recent financial reliefs.
April 23 2020
What is a Patent?
There is a common confusion amongst people regarding the difference between a patent and a trade mark. A trade mark typically includes designs, logos, phrases, slogans and names. Patents, however, provide protection for inventions which includes new products, methods, processes, or compositions. A patented item may not be duplicated, made/manufactured or sold without prior consent […]
April 22 2020
How a Patent Attorney can Help with a Patent Application
Patent attorneys provide guidance, assisting with the patent application process from acquisition to enforcement, and commercialisation. They litigate intellectual property matters and issues, including those for patents in South Africa. How to Patent an Idea It is important to note that in order to be patentable, an idea must be novel. This means that it […]
April 22 2020
Escape Clauses
It sometimes happens that a seller in a property transaction enters into a conditional agreement of sale with a purchaser and before the fulfilment of those conditions the seller wishes to accept a more favourable offer to purchase.
April 21 2020
Customary Marriages
There is a lot of uncertainties and inconsistencies regarding customary marriages in South Africa. The law around customary marriages continue to be developed on a case by case basis.
April 21 2020
Contact Rights to Children Broadened “Children Can Hope to See Parents”
When lockdown was initially imposed children were required to remain solely with one parent holding parental responsibilities and rights and to not travel between other co-holding responsible persons. These parental responsibilities and rights can extend to others, like guardians and caregivers if appointed as such by the Court.
April 17 2020
Negligence Claims Amid the Initiatives to Curb COVID-19 Crisis
In South Africa, the health sector (public and private) is a ‘famous’ Defendant in our courts as the government, hospitals and/or doctors are often sued for medical negligence by the members of the public
April 14 2020
COVID-19: ICASA processing applications for the assignment of emergency temporary spectrum licenses
The announcement of the National State of Disaster on 15 March 2020 has driven up the demand for ICT services and has essentialised the need for access to high-speed and affordable broadband internet.
April 14 2020
Covid-19 - its legislative effect on South Africa, with a focus on the IP industry
The enforcement of “lockdown” by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 27 March brings with it much uncertainty and unchartered territory, in all aspects of life. The full extent of this worldwide pandemic is yet to be seen, understood or experienced. Uncertainty is at the forefront of the thoughts of most people.
April 14 2020
Beware of counterfeit medical supplies
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), hand sanitizers and other disinfectants across the globe. As a result, there has been an influx of counterfeit PPE’s entering African countries which could increase the risk of infection
April 13 2020
WIPO Trade Mark Search Done by the Experts
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the international forum for intellectual property (IP) records and services, amongst others. Having begun operations in April 1970, WIPO was created to protect intellectual property, and the laws that surround it, across the globe. Many expert IP organisations use WIPO to conduct international trade mark searches to ensure […]
April 13 2020
How to Register a Trademark
Before you adopt a brand name or, in essence, a trade mark for your product or service offering it is important to understand the meaning of a trade mark, the different types of trade marks and what your legal rights are once it you have managed to secure registration for your trade mark. What Is […]
April 12 2020
‘Stay at Home” During Lockdown Could Truly Flatten the Curve for Some
The enforcement of “lockdown” by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 27 March brings with it much uncertainty and unchartered territory, in all aspects of life. The full extent of this worldwide pandemic is yet to be seen, understood or experienced. Uncertainty is at the forefront of the thoughts of most people.
April 08 2020
A Competitor’s Guide to COVID-19 - Comprehensive Analysis
Despite lockdowns and various preventative measures being taken by numerous jurisdictions around the globe, the devastating impact of COVID-19 (“the coronavirus”) continues at a startling pace. Locally, the pandemic will highlight the inequality amongst the different classes of South Africans.
April 08 2020