Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights: Understanding Types of IP Protection
If you’ve built something (a brand, a breakthrough invention, or a creative work), protecting it is a business necessity. In South Africa, the three most common forms of IP protection are trademarks, patents, and copyright. While they all fall under the banner of...
What Is a Patent? Everything You Need to Know
In South Africa, a patent grants exclusive rights over an invention for 20 years from the filing date, provided you keep up with the annual renewal fees. This means no one else can legally make, use, sell, or import your invention during that period without your...
What to Do If Someone Is Using Your Intellectual Property Without Permission
Discovering that someone is using your intellectual property (IP) without permission can threaten your business, your brand, or your bottom line. The good news is that strategic action can prevent greater damage and help you take control, whether it’s a copied...
Common Pitfalls in Licensing Deals and How to Avoid Them
When licensing negotiations go sideways, it’s rarely due to bad intentions and almost always because of insufficient documents or shortcomings of licensing agreement. Vague terms, faulty or impractical royalty structures, unfocused territorial rights, or missing...More Blogs
Interesting (and Sometimes Humorous) Trademark Court Cases
Trademark law is often viewed as technical... Read more →
Understanding Registered Designs in South Africa
Registered designs are one of the most... Read more →
Patents Encouraging Innovation in the Pharmaceutical field
Patents play a vital role in encouraging... Read more →