News & Insights
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
A Competitor’s Guide to COVID-19
Individuals, corporations and the economy have all fallen victim to the devastating impact of COVID-19 (“the coronavirus”). However, the recent regulations published by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Minister Patel, intends to bring some relief to the economy in its bid to fight the pandemic.
April 08 2020
Have Copyright Licences Been Relaxed Amid COVID-19?
JK Rowling recently announced a relaxation of the copyright licence terms usually associated with the series of Harry Potter books, thereby allowing teachers around the world to record and post videos of themselves reading the books. The intention is for children who are unable to go to school to continue to enjoy the magic and educational benefits of the famous wizard’s adventures, from the confines of their homes.
April 07 2020
LOCKDOWN: What does it mean for divorced and separated parents’ contact rights in respect of their children?
Divorced and separated parents, as well as co-holders of parental rights and responsibilities, such as guardians, have been rolled yet another dice in the exercise of their respective contact rights during the lockdown period.
April 05 2020
South African Government calls for proposals for supply of ventilators
Amid the outbreak of the COVID-19, many countries around the world implemented various drastic measures to curb the spread of the virus. South Africa, with the highest number of reported cases in Africa, was forced to effect such measures, inclusive of a national lockdown, in order to save lives, albeit economic repercussion of these measures.
April 05 2020
Tommy and Tiger Terry: An Empowering Tool for Children and Parents of Divorce
Tommy and Tigger Terry projects the painful reality of divorce through the eyes of a boy thrust in the middle of an ugly tug-of-war. This new children’s book tackles the distressing reality of children and teens impacted by family breakdown
April 02 2020
Deliberate or Reckless Transmission of COVID-19 May Have Severe Legal Ramifications
The abrupt outbreak and negative impact of the COVID-19 disease has taken the whole world by surprise, prompting several role players and government leaders to implement drastic measures to curb the spread of this fatal disease.
March 30 2020