Smit & Van Wyk is an intellectual property law firm located in South Africa. Our copyright attorneys have experience dealing with copyright and trademark related issues. With advances in technology, copyright infringement is increasing, so our copyright attorneys are not only able to provide legal advice on how to avoid disputes, but also regarding the steps to take when you are the victim of infringement. The attorneys at our firm have gained extensive experienced with lawsuits and litigation, although most disputes should be resolved in a cost effective, professional and time sensitive manner. Litigation should be the last resort in any legal battle because of the duration, costs, and complexities involved. The copyright attorneys at our firm are well qualified in intellectual property and law. Our head office is situated close to the CIPC offices in Pretoria, South Africa, and our foreign division will handle all the intellectual property applications, renewals and prosecution cases abroad.
What is eligible for Copyright protection?
In general, any original work made by a qualified person is eligible for copyright protection. Originality refers to the fact that the author must have created the work through the application of the author’s own creativity and labour. In terms of the South African Copyright Act (No. 98 of 1978), the following works, if original, are eligible for copyright protection:
Computer Programs
(instructions directing the operation of a computer)
Literary Works
(eg. novels, poems, textbooks, letters, reports, lectures, speeches)
Musical Works
Programme-carrying Signals
(a programme signal which passes through a satellite)
Published Editions of Books
(usually the first print of a literary or musical work)
Artistic Works
(eg. paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs)
Cinematograph Films / Videos
Sound Recordings
Broadcasts
(electromagnetic transmissions intended for reception by the public)
Contact our copyright attorneys for assistance regarding the registration, protection and licensing of copyright in South Africa.