South Africa: Trademark

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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.

Lesotho Deepens IP Reforms With ARIPO, Targets Key Protocol Ratifications

Lesotho's recent adoption of a National IP Policy (2025) and a Research and Innovation Policy (2021) reflects a broader strategy to build a knowledge-based economy and expand global trade, particularly in sectors like textiles, water, and agriculture. Between 2019 and 2023, Lesotho processed over 2,500 trademark applications and 1,300 patent and design filings through ARIPO, signalling growing international interest in its IP environment.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Intellectual Property Developments In Africa: DJs, Trade Mark Deadlock, And Trade Mark Recordation

Our articles often deal with intellectual property ("IP") in South Africa. But often we also cover IP issues in other African countries. In this article, we discuss some interesting IP developments...

South Africa IP

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ENS

When Luxury Meets Legacy: The Prada-Kolhapuri Dispute And The Limits Of GIs, Trade Marks And Cultural IP

At the Milan Fashion Week in June 2025, Prada presented a toe-braided sandal that closely resembled India's traditional Kolhapuri chappal, an artisanal leather sandal...

South Africa IP

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ENS

Sound Marks – Best Not To Make Them Too Short

We take a look at a recent EU case that deals with sound marks, a type of trade mark that is still regarded as being a bit unusual, the case in question is Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe...

South Africa IP

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ENS

Re-instatement Of Companies And Close Corporations Process Digitised By CIPC

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Operations Suspended At The Trade Marks Office

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Increased Official Fees For IP Services In Zanzibar

South Africa IP

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Inventa

The Travelwings Case, Confusing Similarity

South Africa IP

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ENS

Clawed Back: What The Sundowns vs Mosimane Case Means For IP Contracts

South Africa IP

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ENS

Labubu vs. Counterfeiters: When Collectibles Meet IP Law

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ENS

Position Trade Marks: The Airwair Case

South Africa IP

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ENS

When Can I Claim Unlawful Competition?

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

ARIPO And OAPI Host Strategic Ambassadors' Luncheon In Geneva

AA

Adams & Adams

Pharma Giants Clash Over 'BUCOD' Names As Court Keeps Ban In Place

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

When Will South Africa's NPS Bill Come Into Force? Navigating The Road To Implementation

South Africa Finance

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ENS

Women Powering Progress | Ria Pretorius (Video)

South Africa Strategy

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SNG Grant Thornton

Launch Of The OAPILEX Database

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

i-Team Podcast (Video)

South Africa Technology

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ENS

Where Competition And Employment Law Meet (Video)

South Africa Anti-trust

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ENS

Specsavers (Pty) Ltd v Strategic Ideal Holdings (Pty) Ltd

On 27 March 2025, the High Court of Botswana (in Lobatse) presided over by Judge Busang, delivered a significant judgment in the matter between Specsavers (Pty) Ltd...

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Understanding Trade Mark Disclaimers: A Guide For Start-Ups

As a start-up owner, protecting your brand through trade marks is crucial. However, it's important to understand the role of disclaimers in trade mark applications.

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

The Role Of Disclaimers In Trade Mark Applications In South Africa

In South Africa, the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993 provides the legal framework for the registration and protection of trade marks.

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Travelwings Trade Mark Case Clarifies Limits Of WINGS Trade Mark Exclusivity

On 4 August 2025, the Johannesburg High Court handed down a comprehensive judgment in Wings Travel Management (Pty) Ltd v Satguru Travels (Pty) Ltd t/a Travelwings...

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Assignment Of Trade Marks – Transferring Ownership For Strategic Impact

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Hypothecation vs Licensing vs Assignment – Unlocking Trade Mark Value

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Hypothecation Of Trade Marks – Using IP As Collateral For Finance

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

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

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Workshop Held As A Step Towards Recognition Of Seychelles' Honey As A GI

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Implementation Of Online Trade Mark Filing System

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

ARIPO Ambassadors Engagement

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Introduction Of OAPI LEX – A Jurisprudence Database

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Protecting Confidential Business Information: Lessons From The Chicken Coup

South Africa IP

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ENS

US Trade Marks – The Vetements Case

South Africa IP

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ENS

ARIPO Ambassadors Engagement

In June, the ARIPO office held diplomatic engagements in Zimbabwe and South Sudan to enhance regional and international cooperation in intellectual property and advance discussions for South Sudan to accede to ARIPO.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Introduction Of OAPI LEX – A Jurisprudence Database

June saw two historic occasions for OAPI and its member countries, with the first ever international festival of the Penja Pepper and the launch of OAPILEX- an online jurisprudence database specific to OAPI.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Protecting Confidential Business Information: Lessons From The Chicken Coup

Heat It Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd is a company specialising in high-quality heating systems for the poultry industry. Stavrakis Michaelides was a former employee of the company.

South Africa IP

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ENS

US Trade Marks – The Vetements Case

In this article, we discuss an interesting trade mark case that recently came up in the USA. The article deals with the issue of descriptive trade marks related to the case.

South Africa IP

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ENS

From Template To Trade Mark: Is Your Logo Legally Yours?

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Shop Manager Fined For Selling Fake Mobile Phones

The manager of a cellphone accessory shop in Gqeberha was fined R 87 000 (around 4900 USD) for selling counterfeit mobile phone products.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

The Dupe Dilemma

The global industry is awash in "dupes", cheaper alternatives that mimic the look and feel of popular high-end products. Dupes thrive in an economy where consumers crave the taste of luxury at budget prices.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Pov: Going Green? A Trade Mark Perspective

Terms like "green," "sustainable," and "eco-friendly" are powerful marketing tools that companies use to captivate environmentally conscious consumers.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

EUIPO Rejects Thom Browne's Four-stripe Position Mark: Lack Of Distinctiveness

Thom Browne's battle with the EUIPO over its four-stripe motif raises questions about the distinctiveness of position marks. Diogo Antunes examines the EUIPO's reasoning...

South Africa IP

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Inventa

Genuine Use Of A Trade Mark -The WONDERGIRL Case

South Africa IP

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ENS

A Calvin Klein Trade Mark Opposition

European Union IP

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ENS

Trade Mark Dispute: URIZONE vs FURIZOME

South Africa IP

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ENS

Colour Trade Marks In The EU - The Biscoffi Case

European Union IP

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ENS

Update On The Never-Ending Tammy Taylor Dispute

South Africa IP

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ENS

Understanding The Financials: Principled Negotiations During IP Valuation

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Your Brand Name In Lights

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Summary Of Aspen v Adcock [2025] 017055-25

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

First-To-File In Africa Trade Mark Filing Packages

South Africa IP

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ENS

The Woodlands Dairy Case

South Africa IP

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ENS

Trade Mark Dispute: STANLEY vs. STANLEY

South Africa IP

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ENS

Brand Passport: Trade Mark Protection As Your Ticket To Africa's Fast-Growing Markets

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

OAPI And INTA Collaborate On Trade Mark Classification System

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

From Coffee To Wine: How GIs Shape Africa's Agricultural Legacy

South Africa IP

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Inventa

The Great Rhode Beauty Pop-Up Scam

South Africa IP

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ENS

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Latest Videos

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Podcast | OFM Business Hour | Talking Counterfeit Goods In Kenya

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ENS

How To Register Food Products In Ghana

uA

Firmus Advisory

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

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Adams & Adams

You Have A Marketing And PR Strategy - What About Your IP Strategy? (Video)

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KISCH IP

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

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TripleOKLaw

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