IP practice of Bowman Gilfillan merge with Adams & Adams
January 20, 2012
Attorneys, Clients, Intellectual Property News
Today Adams & Adams announced the merger with the Intellectual Property practice of Bowman Gilfillan as of 1 March 2012.
Bowman Gilfillan incorporated the firms Bowman Gilfillan Hayman Godfrey, Findlay & Tait and the well known specialist IP law form John & Kernick, which was established in the early 1900′s. John & Kernick merged with Bowman Gilfillan in the early 2000′s. At that stage John & Kernick was still predominantly known as a specialist IP law firm.
The merger with Bowman Gilfillan in the early 2000′s raised the question of synergy between specialist IP law practices on the one hand and general law practices and specialist corporate law firms on the other hand.
The merger of the IP law practice of Bowman Gilfillan with Adams & Adams seems to indicate that there is a niche market for specialist IP law practices.
Bowman Gilfillan, is primarily known as a leading corporate/commercial law firm which acquired the expertise to handle IP matters with the incorporation of John & Kernick.
The merger between Adams & Adams and the IP practice of Bowman Gilfillan emphasizes the fact that an IP law practice is a specialist field of practice that require specialist infrastructure and expertise to practice efficiently.
Angola Intellectual Property
December 6, 2011
Attorneys, Copyright ©, Inventions, Patents, Registered Designs, Trade Marks ™ ®
Smit & Van Wyk, Inc. intellectual property services include applications, filings and dispute resolution for patents, designs, trademarks and copyright in all African countries, including Angola.
For more information about the Angola economy, climate, georgaphics, laws and major problems that might effect your patent, design, trademark or copyright.
Click here for more information about Angola
For more information about the Angola patent system, patent laws, international patent treaties and the patent filing requirements and procedures.
Click here for more information about Angola Patents
For more information about the Angola design system, design laws, international design treaties and the design filing requirements and procedures.
Click here for more information about Angola Registered Designs
For more information about the Angola trademark system, trademark laws, international trademark treaties and the trademark filing requirements and procedures.
Click here for more information about Angola Trademarks
For more information about the Angola copyright system, copyright laws, international copyright treaties and the copyright filing requirements and procedures.
Click here for more information about Angola Copyright
For more information about the Angola litigation system, litigation laws and the litigation procedures.
Click here for more information about Angola Litigation
Attorneys
September 8, 2011
Attorneys
Intellectual Property Attorneys
Attorneys specializing in areas of intellectual property rights can assist a company in several ways.
Intellectual properties have value and as such the registration thereof should be done with the assistance of attorneys well versed in the various intellectual property laws.
Trade Marks
One example is that of trademark registration. Although one can easily register a trademark without the assistance of corporate attorneys, the complexity of the application can lead to a trademark not fully protected, one that infringes on the rights of another and thus also infringement lawsuits.
Before the trademark is registered it is essential to conduct a thorough company name and trademark search with which the corporate attorney can assist.
The next step is to select the best possible categories in which to register such and to decide on the strength of the trademark. The intellectual property attorneys can assist in all of the above instances.
License Agreements
Another example of how intellectual property attorneys can assist is in the setting up of license agreements with other parties. If the company creates software it is essential to have the terms and conditions of usage and thus user agreements in place.
With many types of software licenses available one must carefully consider the future usage of the software.
The attorney specializing in copyright can assist in drafting proper terms & conditions and license agreements.
Inventions & Patents
When it comes to patent rights and the registration thereof, one can file a provisional patent without the assistance of intellectual property attorneys, but must file the permanent patent application with the help of corporate patent attorneys.
In essence, almost every transaction and business correspondence is governed by some form of intellectual property law.
Get legal advice and assistance from experienced intellectual property attorneys.
Contact us for assistance today.
Intellectual Property Law Firm
September 7, 2011
Attorneys, Franchises, Intellectual Property Information
Smit & Van Wyk, Inc. is an intellectual property law firm located in Pretoria that specialises in the following areas:
- Registered Designs
- Copyright
- Franchising
- Patents
- Trade Marks
The team of lawyers at our law firm has many years of experience in the above areas and also assists foreign agents with the registration of patents, trademarks and registered designs.
Smit & Van Wyk, Inc. lawyers are qualified in scientific, technology, engineering and law.
This ensures that our law firm can help with the assessment of patents for patentability, novelty, and non-obviousness to a person skilled in the trade.
Services offered by Smit & Van Wyk:
- Assistance in registration of trademarks as domain names.
- Renewal of patents, trademarks and designs.
- Restoration of trademarks, patents, and designs.
- Assessment of intellectual property ownership.
- Franchise Agreements
- Legal advice and guidance.
- Litigation assistance.
- Dispute resolution.
- Patent, trademark and design registrations.
- Infringement prosecution.
- License agreement setup for patents, trademarks, copyright and designs.
- Assignment of intellectual property rights.
- Trademark, patent and design searches.
- Assisting foreign applicants in registering intellectual property in South Africa.
- Setting up of publishing and related copyright documentation.
The Smit & Van Wyk law firm offers client’s expert legal advice and assistance in registering patents in the bioengineering, nano-technology, and biotechnology fields.
Whether you require help in determining the strength of your trademark, assistance against an objection to the registration of a patent, copyright infringement litigation assistance or general legal advice regarding intellectual property.
View our range of specialties and contact the team of lawyers at our intellectual property law firm to assist you today.
What is Intellectual Property?
September 1, 2011
Attorneys, Intellectual Property News, Inventions
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind for which one can gain registered rights allowing one to have a monopoly over the making, copying, usage, distribution and commercial exploitation of such.
Intellectual property deals with complex products such as films, music, published books, computer software, inventions, designs, and trademarks.
In many instances the same item can have several parts for which different intellectual property rights can be registered. We at Smit & Van Wyk Intellectual Property Attorneys are experienced in dealing with such complex products.
Whether you need assistance in registering a biotechnology or bio-engineering related patent, want a trademark registered on an item that is also registered for design rights or want help in securing a license agreement for a software program, you can rely on our professional assistance.
Intellectual property is the umbrella term for patent, trademark, copyright and design rights. Each of the mentioned covers a specific area of intellectual property.
It is, however, not uncommon to find more complex products for which all of the mentioned intellectual properties can be registered. The wording and trademark are automatically copyright protected.
Registered Designs
The design can also be copyright protected while the invention part will be protected under the Patent laws of the country.
It becomes clear that guidance may be needed as to which intellectual property right or rights to register on complex products and to understand which ones are automatically assigned.
In addition, the ownership of the rights may also cause confusion and duration of the rights. It is possible for some of the intellectual property rights to have longer duration than others.
While the design rights on an item may have lapsed the invention rights may still be in place whilst the copyright will most certainly be.
Contact us at Smit & Van Wyk for professional legal guidance regarding intellectual properties on more complex products.
