South Africa – Copies of Supporting Documents Now Accepted by the Registrar of Patents
Traditionally, formal documents (i.e. Forms P.3/D.3, P.26 and assignments) for filing in support of patent and design applications had to be executed by way of an original/wet signature. However, the Registrar has recently issued a practice note setting out a number of changes in procedure including the Registrar ‘s discretion to accept assignment documents or invention disclosure agreements , executed electronically (like DocuSign) . There is no discretion provided in so far as the execution of the other formal documents are concerned and we shall thus have to await further clarification in this regard.
Famous Faces, Hidden Risks: Using Celebrity Images on Merchandise in South Africa
A photograph of a famous athlete on a t-shirt. A tote bag featuring a well-known actor. A coffee mug bearing the likeness of a popular influencer. Celebrity-driven merchandise has become increasingly ...
October 21 2026
Is Your Trade Mark Portfolio Keeping Up With Your Business?
“We registered our trade mark years ago. We’re covered.” Are you? It’s a question every business owner should ask. Many businesses view trade mark registration as a once-off ex...
October 14 2026
Netflix and the Reach of Reputation: a Taiwan Trade Mark Decision and the South African Perspective
A recent decision of the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (“TIPO”) illustrates how trade mark protection operates where competing marks consist essentially of stylised single letter devices, an...
October 14 2026