News & Insights
Criticising Blockchain Technology Is Like Criticising the Alphabet
In my previous post on blockchain technology I suggested that the impact of blockchain technology on society will be enormous. While there are a number of skeptics out there dismissing the potential impact out of hand, I would argue that criticising blockchain technology is akin to criticising the alphabet. In its time the invention of the alphabet had […]
February 26 2018
HERE'S AN IDEA | EASY GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Are you starting, or have you already established a small or medium-sized business? There are many key considerations in relation to IP and governance when setting up a business.Adams & Adams is a proud supporter of initiatives such as the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) and the Business Day TV SME Summit. If you’d like […]
February 21 2018
OF SEE-THRU FENCES AND LIQUORICE ALLSORTS | COCHRANE v M-SYSTEMS
The appellant, Cochrane Steel Products (Pty) Ltd (“Cochrane”), applied for the registration of the mark ‘CLEARVU’ in two classes: Class 6 in relation to “non-electric cables and wires of common metal; metal fences; metal mesh; pipes and tubes of metal; and Class 37 in relation to “building, construction, repair and installation services. The above trade […]
February 19 2018
COMPETITION TRIBUNAL ENDS MASSMART EXCLUSIVE LEASE SAGA
Author: Misha van Niekerk The Massmart exclusive lease saga, which commenced with Massmart’s complaint to the Competition Commission (“the Commission”) in October 2014, has finally come to an end. The Competition Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) yesterday upheld exceptions brought by Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite Checkers and Spar (“the Excipients”) and dismissed Massmart’s complaint that the Excipients’ […]
February 19 2018
A run(a)way success - literally!
At IPLive, we love start-up success stories – especially when that success involves a client of Adams & Adams. In this case, Clement Mokoenene, a client of Wynand Fourie in our Patents team, has been selected as a national finalist in the Chivas Venture programme. The fund looks for innovative start-ups globally that use business […]
February 13 2018
"A lot of hot air" | An attempt at demystifying blockchain technology
I was at a dinner with some friends from school when a friend told a story about his 60-year-old mother buying R10,000 worth of bitcoin earlier this year which is now worth over R80,000 – some of which she cashed out for a very nice holiday. “This blockchain stuff is a lot of hot air […]
December 12 2017
DOES ADeC's LOGO INFRINGE THE ANC's IP RIGHTS?
A new political party has just emerged in South Africa and it is called the African Democratic Change (ADeC) lead by Dr Makhozi Khoza. Its new logo (above) has caused some outcry and much attention for the new party for obvious reasons. On the left-hand side is the logo of the ANC and on the right-hand side, […]
December 04 2017
Does ADeC's logo infringe the ANC's IP rights?
A new political party has just emerged in South Africa and it is called the African Democratic Change (ADeC) lead by Dr Makhozi Khoza. Its new logo (above) has caused some outcry and much attention for the new party for obvious reasons. On the left-hand side is the logo of the ANC and on the […]
December 04 2017
Listen to IPLive on CliffCentral.com: Episode 1 - Trade Secrets and Coca-Cola
The IPLive team collaborated with the CliffCentral.com to produce a series of podcasts on IP law. The goal of the series is to make IP more accessible and understandable. We’re also hoping that our parents begin to understand what it is we do here too. We hope you give it a listen and give us some feedback […]
November 14 2017
Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain | How will these impact IP law?
Artificial Intelligence and IP Law A recently published White Paper titled “Artificial Intelligence, Human Expertise – How technology and trade mark experts work together to meet today’s IP challenges” is definitely worth a read for anyone interested in AI and how it may effect IP law in the years to come (published by Compumark and […]
November 14 2017
Silverware for IPLive: Jean Bruneau wins the Chris Job Award!
Each year the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (“SAIIPL“) administers and runs the Trade Mark Practitioner examinations. These are practice-based examinations that, if passed, allow the candidate to formally qualify as a Trade Mark Practitioner and automatically become a Fellow of the Institute. These examinations are tough, consisting of a series of introductory […]
November 07 2017
How to fight counterfeiters and create a global brand - Lessons from TRX™
How a Navy Seal fought off copy-cats and created a global empire After featuring a Planet Money podcast episode which focused on resurrecting a famous American brand, we look at another excellent podcast this week: How I Built This with Guy Raz. Some of my favourite episodes so far include the stories behind powerful businesses […]
October 03 2017
AN SA TWIST IN THE 'COLA WARS' | COURT RULING
Author: Kelly Thompson The Supreme Court of Appeal handed down a landmark decision on Friday involving a trade mark dispute between two of the world’s largest beverage manufacturers, PepsiCo Inc (Pepsi) and Atlantic Industries (Atlantic), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. This case was not your typical “cola war”, but rather involved TWIST, the […]
September 20 2017
USE IT OR LOSE IT! HOW AN ICONIC BUT FORGOTTEN BRAND WAS RESURRECTED IN THE USA
How a savvy entrepreneur resurrected America’s “original cream-filled chocolate cookie”. As far as podcasts go, NPR’s Planet Money is right up there with the best! Which is why we were doubly delighted to hear an updated episode regarding the resurrection of the Hydrox chocolate cookie which had a strong focus on the nature of trade mark rights.
August 29 2017
LOUIS VUITTON AND THE BASOTHO BLANKET | POWER FM
Iman Rappetti talks to Partner, Darren Olivier, and Associate, Maureen Makoko, about the upcoming Adams & Adams IP Evening Series, as well as the recent controversy over Basotho designs and well known fashion house Louis Vuitton as a case study. At a recent IP Evening Series event in Soweto, Darren explained that “fashion and crafts are a […]
July 26 2017
ROCK ON! HAND GESTURES AS TRADE MARKS
Hand gestures are a part of everyday life of a large number of cultures and civilizations. People use them to indicate approval, disapproval, pleasure or displeasure with something or someone. It is a shorthand method of communicating. Is a hand gesture a trade mark, or can it even be registered as a trade mark? The […]
July 25 2017
A SUGGESTED FRANCHISING PLAN FOR AFRICA
Africa needs to develop small and medium sized businesses across the continent. A good vehicle to adopt to substantially contribute towards this initiative, is franchising. This includes adopting successful and appropriate business systems and prudently locating them, so as to as far as possible ensure their success. The plan should commence with a study of […]
June 26 2017
REPORT | MADRID IN AFRICA
Memorandum on the effectiveness of International (MADRID) Registrations in Africa. Introduction The international trade mark registration system (known as the Madrid system) is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is considered to be a one-stop solution for the registration and management of trade marks worldwide. Brand owners from […]
April 24 2017