Intellectual Property

Inventions are key to innovation in all sectors, get the most out of them by securing patent rights for these valuable assets.

Copyrights ensure that work which is created, such as film or a computer program, is protected and monetised correctly. Preventing unauthorised use of such a work is an important part of any successful endeavour.

The trade mark is often the first thing a customer or client will see about a business or organisation. First impressions are recognisable and protected.

The design of a product is often as important as the product itself. Register a design of a product to protect it for up to 15 years from unauthorised use.

New varieties of plants can and should be protected and commercialised by obtaining a plant breeder right. A plant breeder’s right is intellectual property which ensures innovation and profit in the agricultural sector.

Africa is a vast continent, which is often underestimated, both from a business, but also from a brand protection perspective. There are challenges such as poor legislative framework, an unharmonized legislative landscape, unmonitored or porous borders, weak enforcement, limited resources and a lack of political will in some cases. However, they are not insurmountable. It is possible to effectively address the counterfeit goods trade by partnering with a legal team familiar with the landscape and navigate around those challenges.