Anti-Counterfeiting

Introduction The levies/taxes at issue were imposed on indigenous communities for different reasons, including for reporting a death in a family, relocation to another village, and the allocation of a residential stand. The applicants argued that in cases where they failed to pay the levy, traditional authorities refused them essential services, such as the installation […]

In recent years, we have witnessed explosive growth of online marketplaces and the increasing prevalence of e-commerce businesses. As businesses adapt—albeit slowly—to the modern consumer who prefers purchasing products from the comfort of their couch, there is a parallel rise in the sophistication of scams and fraud aimed at exploiting this shift. Platforms like Facebook […]

Ask any fragrance enthusiast what they would like for Christmas this year and chances are they will say, “a bottle of the latest Sol de Janeiro product, please”. This U.S. skincare and fragrance brand, inspired by the vibrant culture of Brazilian beaches and with its signature almond and vanilla scent, has recently taken social media […]

Countries in Northern Africa, including Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt have been increasing their focus on anti-counterfeiting and protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. A seminar, following on from previous events hosted by AfrIPI, was held in September 2023 in partnership with other international organizations to focus on enforcement of intellectual property rights and […]

After extensive investigations into a company importing and selling counterfeit branded roller bearings, the Adams & Adams Anti-Counterfeiting Team assisted the HAWKS (SAPS) with simultaneous search and seizure operations in 3 Provinces. More than 1 300 counterfeit branded bearings were seized by the Police during these operations.  Criminal prosecutions and civil claims were instituted. Roller […]

After thorough investigations by the firm’s internal private investigators, the Anti-Counterfeiting Team of Adams & Adams recently collaborated with the HAWKS (SAPS) in two provinces to clamp down on syndicates dealing in counterfeit engine lubricant and oil products. In the first operation in Gauteng, the team managed to identify and take down a manufacturing facility where […]

Jan-Harm Swanepoel recently represented the interests of a client and the firm in securing an order from the High Court for the imprisonment of a Respondent based on a Contempt of Court Order. The First Respondent embarked on a series of serious intimidating, threatening and defamatory conduct against a client of the firm and even […]

Dear Clients and Colleagues, On the 26th of April 2022, the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority (“ACA”) published Public Notice, No. 1/2022, in which it announced a deadline for the recordal on the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Integrated Management System (“AIMS”) of all goods bearing Intellectual Property Rights being imported into Kenya. That Notice required that all Intellectual Property Rights Holders to record […]

It is a well-known fact that counterfeit and illicit goods trade is causing an immeasurable harm to an already struggling South African economy. In 2019, his excellence President Cyril Ramaphosa in particular acknowledged the severe negative impact that this phenomenon has on the local economy and pledged that government would do more in an attempt […]

The recent news reports of a manufacturing facility found to be selling counterfeit washing powder, have reignited concerns about the extent of the counterfeiting industry in South Africa. When you mention the word “counterfeit goods”, most people think about a few counterfeit sneakers or handbags making their way into South Africa in a container or […]

In January 2019, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act of 2018 was enacted by the Parliament of Kenya to introduce some amendments to various intellectual property legislations including the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008 (‘the Act’). Amongst others, the name of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency was changed to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and, most importantly, the Act made […]

 “… the more he got away with it, the more he did it…” Daniel Golden, investigative reporter and author of The Price of Admission The seizures of large numbers of counterfeit goods and consignments are regularly communicated in statistics and annual reports on enforcement efforts. Despite this valiant and ongoing work by authorities to combat […]

Anti-counterfeiting legal advice is sought out by any person, or entity, whose intellectual property right has been infringed upon. These parties include authorised intellectual property right owners, licensees, importers, exporters, distributors or other authorised agents. The intellectual property rights that are protected by the Counterfeit Goods Act include registered trade marks, copyright, and well-known (yet […]

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

Partner in the Anti-Counterfeiting group at Adams & Adams, Godfrey Budeli regularly uses team sport analogies in describing the purpose and successes of his colleagues’ work. “Why not?,” he counters. “As in football, the success of a team depends on correct team placement, and strong leadership.” It’s his ‘captaincy’ that has once again earned him […]