News & Insights
Innovation Focus #2: WizzPass™
Innovation Focus #2: WizzPass™ are South Africa’s only representative on the Barclays Accelerator (powered by Techstars) WizzPass were recently selected to participate in the Barclays Accelerator (powered by Techstars) and are based in Cape Town for three months of mentorship from specialists in the fintech sphere. Applications were received from over 45 countries and only 10 companies were selected. […]
May 17 2016
KingIV Draft Report Analysis
The Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA) and the King Committee recently invited public commentary on the draft King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa. As a proud partner and sponsor of this Report, Adams & Adams hosted a commentary session in Sandton recently. The Report is the fourth edition, setting out the […]
May 16 2016
Please Call Me | A case study on how to protect an idea
The almost hundred page judgment from the constitutional court makes for exciting, and laborious reading – at least to an IP attorney. Exciting in the sense that it documents a brilliant idea coming from a modest yet determined man in the accounting department of a telecoms behemoth and his fifteen year battle for justice all […]
May 10 2016
Philanthropy's Purple Rain - Protecting Brands of Non Profits
The front page headline in the Wall Street Journal a few years ago stated boldly “Charity Brawl: Nonprofits Aren’t So Generous When a Name’s at Stake” referring to the stinging criticism received by a celebrated charity for enforcing their rights over part of their name. The palaver prompted a retort from Dan Pallotta, renown philanthropist […]
May 10 2016
Download Franchising Brochure
EXPERT FRANCHISE LEGAL ASSISTANCE Strategic structuring and set up of franchise systems Protection of intellectual property including: registration of trade marks/brands copyright advice patent and design advice know how and trade secret advice Advice on the Consumer Protection Act Preparation of business focused competent franchise agreements Review and updating of disclosure documents Auditing and updating […]
April 21 2016
PATTERNING SUCCESS THROUGH STRONG IP STRATEGIES
Beyoncé may have drawn further attention to his name when she endorsed his luxury designs in a blog post on Saturday, but Laduma Ngxokolo says the brand boost is only one step in the right direction. These were his comments to John Robbie on 702 after being asked about the ‘shout out’ by the pop […]
April 14 2016
David Bowie | IP Trailblazer - Presentation
David Bowie –Artist, Renaissance Man and IP Maestro. The man of many names, faces and alter egos such as Ziggy Stardust, the Alienated Alien and the Master of Reinvention was also an IP Trailblazer who left us with groundbreaking insights on IP protection and asset development in the music business. On 14 April, leaders in the […]
March 28 2016
Is IP a thread in Gordhan's Gordian Knot?
This article entitled “What can we expect in Gordhan’s Budget” published by Independent Online and citing Bloomberg as author predicts a difficult speech for the Finance Minister who needs “must contend with dwindling revenue as commodity prices plunge, the worst drought in more than a century and slowing economic growth”. There is of course no […]
February 23 2016
Bowie Bonds and Stardust Savvy
HOW DAVID BOWIE CHANGED THE MUSIC BUSINESS | During his larger than life career in music that spanned more than four decades, he was dubbed Rock ‘n Roll’s greatest chameleon and also the Master of Reinvention. He was inducted to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. A true Renaissance Man, Bowie was […]
February 10 2016
I TWEET WHAT I LIKE
The events surrounding the controversial racial remarks published on the personal social media accounts of various well-known offender
January 26 2016
KING IV™ DRAFT REPORT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA) and the King Committee has invited public commentary on the draft King IVTM Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2016. As a proud partner and sponsor of the King IVTM Report, Adams & Adams will be conducting commentary sessions in May. The King IVTM Report is the fourth edition, setting […]
January 18 2016
Power FM Interview | Ideas for protecting your ideas when pitching for business or investment
PowerTalk | PowerFM’s Iman Rappetti talks to A&A’s Darren Olivier about ways of protecting your ideas or your inventions when making presentations to potential investors or clients.
November 10 2015
CAN YOU BID ON A COMPETITOR'S TRADEMARK AS A KEYWORD IN GOOGLE ADS?
In this case Cochrane Steel Products sought an interdict against the M-Systems for bidding on its brand name CLEAR VU as a Google Adwords search keyword. The applicant did not have a trade mark registration for its mark and accordingly relied on unlawful competition. Specifically, it alleged passing off and a new species of unlawful competition, […]
October 29 2015
Power Talk Interview | Intellectual Property & Creating Value out of Heritage
PowerTalk | PowerFM’s Iman Rappetti talks to A&A’s Darren Olivier about IP and protecting and nurturing our Heritage. Also joining the conversation are the Steve Biko Foundation, the Nat Nakasa Foundation and the Victor Ntoni Foundation.
September 22 2015
Power Talk Interview | Street Art & Intellectual Property Protection
PowerTalk | PowerFM’s Iman Rappetti talks to A&A’s Darren Olivier about the struggle by Street Artists who don’t know how to protect their designs and creativity.
September 07 2015
Power Talk Interview | Ashley Madison and your rights on the web
PowerTalk | PowerFM’s Iman Rappetti talks to A&A’s Darren Olivier, Ian Learmonth and Ashlin Perumall about the Ashley Madison ‘affair’ generally and what it means – and corporate and personal strategies for reputation management and trade secret protection (how to prevent leakage occurring and practical steps if leakage has occurred).
September 07 2015
Ownership of copyrights in logos: Atelier v Kilnworx
Ask just about any IP lawyer and they will probably tell you that if you sub contract the development of your logo, you will not own the copyright in the logo. You will not even have the exclusive right to use it. This is because of the general rule that, subject to a list of […]
August 05 2015
Pitfalls And Difficulties With The CPA
The Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) came into operation on or about 1 April 2011. As you are aware, this substantially changed the legal franchising landscape in South Africa in that we now have the franchise relationship regulated by legislation. There have been a number of difficulties and pitfalls with the CPA and certain of these […]
June 10 2015