The most widespread form of Intellectual Property is Copyright.

Copyright is the one form of intellectual property that does not have to be registered. Once put into a tangible form such as print or some other media, copyright automatically becomes yours.

Generally speaking, any creative work by an individual is eligible for copyright protection. It is not enough for the work of art to be still an idea in the author’s head – it must have been recorded in material form.

Because it is not registered does not mean that a creation of the mind is not valuable.

As an example, take a new novel. Not only does it have commercial value, but when looking at the screen rights to the novel, for example, it is easy to see that it also can have great strategic value.

Contact Details for Smit & Van Wyk:

Tel:
+27 (0) 12 349 7800

Fax:
+27 (0) 86 619 0493

E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za

Physical Address / Courier
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa