Joanne van Harmelen

US Patent and Trademark Office notably increases patent application fees from 19 January 2025

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published that there will be notable increases in some of its patent application fees as from 19 January 2025.  Since South African patent applicants generally have a strong interest in the USA as a patent jurisdiction, the changes should be taken note of. The most relevant change […]

FIRM NEWSJoanne van HarmelenPieter VisagieTrade Marks

NEWSFLASH: WIPO ADOPTS TREATY ON BIOPROSPECTING, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

While South Africa has been understandably caught up in election fever, a quietly momentous event has taken place in Geneva. On 24 March 2024, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states adopted a new Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. This adoption follows decades of negotiation and, more recently, vigorous […]

Intellectual PropertyJoanne van HarmelenPatentsThomas Schmidt

Adams & Adams strengthens patent team with new appointments.

Adams & Adams is very pleased to announce two new appointments to their patent team, which will further enhance the firm’s highly regarded patent, design and Plant Breeder’s Rights(PBR) legal services. Dr Joanne van Harmelen will take on the position as a new partner, bringing her expertise as patent attorney in life sciences, chemical inventions […]

Adams NewsJoanne van HarmelenThomas Schmidt