In today's fiercely competitive business landscape, establishing a unique brand identity has become paramount for companies across industries. One powerful tool that can help safeguard and distinguish your brand is by the power of trademarks. A trademark is a valuable asset that can provide legal...
If you have an idea that you believe could revolutionize an industry or address a pressing problem, it is essential to comprehend why you should patent your idea. Obtaining a patent offers numerous benefits and is a crucial step in protecting your intellectual property. By securing your idea, you...
How IP is shaping Agriculture If we want to look at how IP is shaping agriculture, we first need to understand what IP is, and what it stands for. Intellectual Property is a term that is used to describe the creation of something new, innovative or creative. IP is protected by law in the form...
Types of Designs: Industrial Designs Filing Requirements: Simply signed Power of Attorney (must be filed within 2 months of the filing date) Drawings, photographs or 2 specimens of the design (required upon filing) Certified copy of deed of assignment (must be filed within 2 months of the filing...
Types of Patents: Patents of Invention Patents of Addition National Phase PCT Application Filing Requirements: Non-PCT applications: Simply signed Power of Attorney (must be filed within 2 months of the filing date) Specification, claims, drawings and abstract in English (required upon filing)...
Types of Trade Marks: Collective marks Standard marks Filing Requirements: Simply signed Power of Attorney (separate Power of Attorney is required for each application) Details of the Applicant (full names, physical address, nationality/country of incorporation) Representation of the trade...
In simple terms, a domain name is the address through which internet users can access a website, for example, www.companyname.co.za or www.companyname.africa or www.companyname.com. Although these addresses are reflected in Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, domain names provide easy-to-recall...
A question that inevitably arises is whether unregistered trade marks are afforded protection in South Africa and if so, to what extent. South African trade mark law is hybrid legal system governed by common law and various statutory law enactments. South Africa is a first to use country and...
Intellectual Property in SenegalSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Senegal, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the...
Intellectual Property in CameroonSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Cameroon, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the...
Intellectual Property in BurundiSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Burundi, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the...
Intellectual Property in Burkina FasoSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Burkina Faso, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have...
The Smit & Van Wyk team of experienced intellectual property attorneys are able to provide legal advice regarding your patents, trade marks and copyright. We are a specialist legal practice that deals exclusively with patent, trade...
South Africa registered designs are split into two sections. 1. Aesthetic design which protects the appearance of an article, irrespective of the aesthetic value thereof (such as cell phones covers or automobile designs). 2. Functional designs protect the appearance of an article in as far as its...
South Africa patents have a duration of 20 years and annual renewal fees are payable from the 3rd anniversary of the filing date. South Africa is a member of PCT and the Paris Convention (International treaty for the protection of Industrial Property). South Africa patents have a requirement of...
South Africa trademarks are valid for 10 years from the filing date and are renewable every 10 years thereafter. In South African trade mark law first-to-use is superior to first-to-file. However, South Africa trademarks that have been registered are easier to enforce than their common law...
Intellectual Property in South AfricaSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in South Africa, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have...
Patent Acceptance in South Africa – Delay vs Expedited South Africa has a non-examining patent system, which means that once the formal requirements are complied with, a South African patent application will generally be accepted within nine to twelve months from the filing date of the...
Intellectual Property in BeninSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Benin, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the knowledge,...
Intellectual Property in TanzaniaSmit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Tanzania, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the...