South Africa: Intellectual Property

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Intellectual property law and copyright law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as licensing and syndication, patent law, trade secrets and trademark law.

South Africa Implements The 13th Edition Of The Nice Classification

South Africa has officially adopted the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification (NCL 13-26) with effect from 1 January 2026, following its implementation by the World Intellectual Property Office on the same date.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Football And IP In Africa

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is currently underway in Morocco showcasing soccer talents and competitiveness of 24 African countries.

AA

Adams & Adams

Strengthening African Intellectual Property Resources: Collaboration And A Shared Vision For The Future

While virtual interactions are invaluable for teams working across a continent, it cannot replace the value that in-person engagements deliver, with the opportunities to establish and deepen personal and professional relationships.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Commencement Of The South African Plant Improvement Act No. 11 Of 2018

The South African Plant Improvement Act No. 11 of 2018 (the "Act") came into operation on 1 December 2025 (the previous Plant Improvement Act No. 53 of 1976 is now repealed).

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

James Dyson's Biggest Mistake

South Africa IP

E

ENS

The Trade Marks Choo And Chhu - Here's Something To Chew On!

South Africa IP

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ENS

AI, IP And Class Actions: Navigating A New Global Litigation Frontier

South Africa IP

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ENS

Position Trade Marks: Adidas And Thom Browne

South Africa IP

E

ENS

The Never-ending Apple Watch Patent Battle

South Africa IP

E

ENS

GoDaddy vs Express Mobile: A Pricey Website Builder Battle

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Fire In The Hole – When Names Spark A Passing-off Battle

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Tammy Taylor vs The Viljoens - Trade Marks Take Centre Stage...again

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Why Should I Register A Trade Mark?

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Eminem v "Swim Shady"

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Accelerating Legal Disputes With GenAI-Enhanced Data Review

South Africa Technology

E

ENS

Accelerating The AfCFTA: Why M&A Is Key To Intra-Africa Trade

South Africa Commercial

Ai

Andersen in South Africa

Interdict Denied: Municipalities Face A High Bar On Pension Withholding

South Africa Employment

AA

Adams & Adams

Occupational Health And Safety Act, 1993 ("OHASA") – Environmental Regulations For Workplaces 1987; And General Safety Regulations 1986

South Africa Employment

E

ENS

Taking Off The Shine: Uganda's Education Body Demotes Top Degrees From Kenya And United Kingdom

Worldwide Consumer

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ENS

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Copyright

AI In Entertainment: Redefining Creativity, Ownership And The Future Of Storytelling

Every major creative revolution begins with fear. When photography was invented, painters feared that it was going to mark the end of art and painting. When sound started entering cinema...

South Africa Technology

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ENS

AI, IP And Class Actions: Navigating A New Global Litigation Frontier

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), intellectual property (IP), and class action law is creating a new and complex risk landscape for businesses worldwide.

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Business Licensing Bill, 2025: Streamlining Trade Or Stifling Enterprise?

The South African government published the Business Licensing Bill, 2025 (the "Bill") on 26 September 2025.

South Africa Government

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ENS

General Increase Of Official Fees

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Employer Of Record Arrangements: An Overview Of The Overlooked Intellectual Property Implications

South Africa Employment

E

ENS

Eminem Vs. Meta: When Music Meets IP Law

South Africa IP

E

ENS

When AI Meets IP: A Lawsuit Waiting To Happen?

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Copyright 101: Understanding The Basics

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Lesotho Deepens IP Reforms With ARIPO, Targets Key Protocol Ratifications

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

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Licensing & Syndication

Trade Mark Licensing – Permitted Use, Registered Users And Revenue Growth

In our previous article we established the monetary value and financial leverage available for business owners, more specifically registered brand owners, through the hypotec/pledging route...

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Master Your Rights: How South African Artists Can Use Contracts To Secure Ownership Of Their Masters

For many South African musicians, landing a record deal feels like the breakthrough they have been working toward...

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

The Apple vs. Optis Patent Dispute: A Lesson In Patent Infringement And Licensing

As patent litigation continues to reshape the tech landscape, the ongoing case between Apple and Optis Cellular Technology highlights...

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Viewing The SARB's Exchange Control Revisions Through An IP Licensing Lens

South Africa IP

FW

Fairbridges Wertheim Becker

How Copyright Applies To Free-to-copy Open-source Software

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Foreign Electronic Certification Service Providers Now Recognised By The CA

South Africa Media & IT

B

Bowmans

TikTok: Now To The Copyright And Political Issues

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ENS

Proposed Changes To South African Exchange Controls Relating To The Transfer And License Of SA-Owned Intellectual Property

South Africa International

AA

Adams & Adams

Compulsory Licenses In A Pandemic

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

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Patent

Football And IP In Africa

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is currently underway in Morocco showcasing soccer talents and competitiveness of 24 African countries.

AA

Adams & Adams

Strengthening African Intellectual Property Resources: Collaboration And A Shared Vision For The Future

While virtual interactions are invaluable for teams working across a continent, it cannot replace the value that in-person engagements deliver, with the opportunities to establish and deepen personal and professional relationships.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Commencement Of The South African Plant Improvement Act No. 11 Of 2018

The South African Plant Improvement Act No. 11 of 2018 (the "Act") came into operation on 1 December 2025 (the previous Plant Improvement Act No. 53 of 1976 is now repealed).

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

James Dyson's Biggest Mistake

South Africa IP

E

ENS

GoDaddy vs Express Mobile: A Pricey Website Builder Battle

South Africa IP

E

ENS

The Never-ending Apple Watch Patent Battle

South Africa IP

E

ENS

General Increase Of Official Fees

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Strava vs. Garmin: Branding, Patents And The Battle For Data Attribution

South Africa IP

E

ENS

SA Patent Reform Underway: A Call For Balanced, Modern IP Laws

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

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Trade Secrets

Artificial Intelligence In South African Financial Sector: What The FSCA–PA Report Reveals About IP, Trade Secrets, And Smart Governance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming South Africa's financial sector, driving innovation, operational efficiency, and new customer experiences.

South Africa Technology

AA

Adams & Adams

When And How To Use Non-solicit And Non-compete Clauses In IT Contracts In South Africa

South African employers and business owners often rely on post‑termination restraints to protect customer relationships, confidential information...

South Africa Employment

E

ENS

The Role Of Non-Disclosure Agreements In Commercial Transactions: Importance And Legal Implications

When it comes to high-stakes corporate transactions, information is power and protecting that information is critical. Whether you're negotiating a merger, exploring a joint venture, or conducting due diligence...

South Africa Commercial

BI

Barnard Inc.

The Business Of Ideas: Why Commercial Intellectual Property (IP) Really Matters

South Africa IP

E

ENS

The AI Trade Secret Tug-of-war

South Africa IP

E

ENS

When Can I Claim Unlawful Competition?

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

After The Water Is Gone: Critical Decision On Post-termination Clauses

South Africa Commercial

E

ENS

IP In Practice: Legal And Commercial IP Developments In Kenya And South Africa

E

ENS

Putting The "Claws" Into A Restraint Of Trade

South Africa Employment

BI

Barnard Inc.

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Latest Videos

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Investing In Africa | Intellectual Property (Video)

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ENS

Lack Of Global Consensus On Rules For The Taxation Of Multinationals And The Risk Of A Global Trade War (Video)

PW

PwC Nigeria

A ‘Triple Distilled' Summary Of Recent Trade Mark SCA Cases (Video)

AA

Adams & Adams

Brand Bans Don't Change Behaviour But Do Destroy Jobs, Assets (Video)

KI

KISCH IP

Protect Your Brand – Advice To Start-Ups (Video Content)

T

TripleOKLaw

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