Latest News and Insights
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
June 6, 2024
Pilsner To Piller: Former Ugandan Brewery Executive Spills Trade Secrets And Issued Court Order
There has been an important ruling in Uganda dealing with trade secrets and Anton Piller orders. The case is Nile Breweries Limited v. Johnson Sebuggwawo, High Court of Uganda at Kampala (Commercial Division), Misc. App...
June 4, 2024
Haiti: Intellectual Property Office Resumes Operations
Following civil unrest, the Ministry of Commerce in Haiti has been closed since 29 February 2024.
We are pleased to confirm that they have announced that they will resume operations from 4 June 2024.
Pending IP matters will now proceed and new applications can be lodged. Deadlines which fel...
May 28, 2024
Complexities Associated with Patentability of Life Sciences Inventions: Lessons from Other Jurisdictions
The life sciences field has seen significant advancements in medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. However, these strides have introduced new challenges related to patent eligibility for life sciences inventions in this field. The changing landscape of patent eligibility within...
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