Latest News and Insights

Black Friday Deals, Dupes, and Deceptions
November 29, 2024

Black Friday Deals, Dupes, and Deceptions

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here and savvy shoppers and bargain hunters are gearing up for the year’s ultimate shopping adventure. But as wallets open and deals beckon, swindlers and scammers are ready to pounce on unsuspecting buyers. Whether browsing online or dashing through stores, cons...
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Step-by-Step into the Sneaker Trap: Unknowingly Repping the Reps
November 21, 2024

Step-by-Step into the Sneaker Trap: Unknowingly Repping the Reps

Sneaker culture has grown exponentially since the day Michael Jordan’s shoes were banned from the NBA for being “too colourful”. Over the years, it has drawn in fans from hip-hop, sports, and celebrity culture. Today, sneaker culture is a global phenomenon, embraced by people from all walks of li...
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Open Source and IP: Striking a Balance Between Sharing and Protecting
October 30, 2024

Open Source and IP: Striking a Balance Between Sharing and Protecting

Open source software has transformed the way we develop and use technology, facilitating a collaborative approach that allows developers to access, modify, and distribute code, often without any obligation to pay licence fees to an upstream licensor. This collaborative spirit has fuelled innovati...
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Fakes & Frauds: The Costly Impact of Counterfeit Goods
September 11, 2024

Fakes & Frauds: The Costly Impact of Counterfeit Goods

The counterfeit goods market thrives in the shadows, offering cheap imitations of popular brands to eager buyers. Fuelled by high demand and digital access, counterfeiting taints everything from luxury items to everyday products. Rec...
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Matthew Costard Appointed Managing Director of Spoor & Fisher Jersey
September 2, 2024

Matthew Costard Appointed Managing Director of Spoor & Fisher Jersey

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Costard as the new Managing Director of Spoor & Fisher Jersey, succeeding Wayne Meiring, who has provided exceptional leaders...
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MetaBirkins NFTs: The Bold Infringement on Hermès' Iconic Birkin Trade Mark
August 28, 2024

MetaBirkins NFTs: The Bold Infringement on Hermès' Iconic Birkin Trade Mark

Birkin Background In the first verdict of its kind, a New York federal jury on 8 February 2023 found that non-fungible token (NFT) artist Mason Rothschild’s MetaBirkins NFTs infringed the rights of Hèrmes International S.A. and Hermès of Paris, Inc. (collectively, “Hermès”) to its BIRKI...
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Amazon Brand Registry: Why SA brand owners should enroll their brands
August 15, 2024

Amazon Brand Registry: Why SA brand owners should enroll their brands

The recent arrival of Amazon in South Africa is a significant moment for local South African businesses and customers seeking to tap into the international e-commerce world, providing access to thousands of products not previously available to South Africans. As one of the world's largest online ...
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It's a Tough Position: Understanding Position Trade Marks
August 6, 2024

It's a Tough Position: Understanding Position Trade Marks

Brand identity is everything, and the power to protect unique elements of a product through position trade marks is invaluable. This article delves into what position trade marks are, the legal framework surrounding them, notable case studies, and strategic advice for businesses looking to levera...
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WIPO Member States Adopt Historic New Treaty
June 21, 2024

WIPO Member States Adopt Historic New Treaty

The global intellectual property landscape witnessed a notable milestone on Friday 24 May 2024, with the conclusion of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated trad...
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Nail Biting Disputes – Who Owns The TAMMY TAYLOR Trade Mark?
June 11, 2024

Nail Biting Disputes – Who Owns The TAMMY TAYLOR Trade Mark?

The acrylic claws are out again with the revival of the dispute between Tammy Taylor (the American founder of the nail brand Tammy Taylor Nails) and Melany and Peet Viljoen, about who actually owns the TAMMY TAYLOR trade mark in South Africa. Background Tammy Taylor, the CEO of the Ame...
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