- An experienced intellectual property advisor with over 20 years’ experience gained in local and international law firms as well as in-house. Former partner of international firm FieldFisher LLP in London.
- Especially interested in IP management (primarily brands), prosecution, commercialisation and enforcement in Africa but worked for a decade in London, focusing on Europe
- Lead counsel for the BSA The Software Alliance in South Africa
- An editorial board member of Oxford University Press: Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice
- Editor and founder of the Afro-IP weblog. He tweets from @DarrenTOlivier
- Recognised by Who’s Who Legal, Chambers Global, World Trademark 1000, Legal 500, South African Institute of IP Law, Managing Intellectual Property and IAM 300
- Former Trustee of the CEO SleepOut Trust, a change agent in South Africa responsible for raising the most amount of money ever on a single night for good causes
- The first African to be recognised in IAM’s Guide to the World’s leading IP Strategists
- Chair of the firm’s IP Commercialisation team
- Co-founder of 4 kids
Covid-19 – its legislative effect on South Africa, with a focus on the IP industry
The enforcement of “lockdown” by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 27 March brings with it much uncertainty and unchartered territory, in all aspects of life. The full extent of this worldwide pandemic is yet to be seen, understood or experienced. Uncertainty is at the forefront of the thoughts of most people.
