Next Generation Partners

Intellectual property in South Africa

Adams & Adams

At Adams & Adams, the ‘outstanding‘ trade marks and patents team ‘provides thorough and pragmatic advice on all trade mark prosecution and enforcement matters‘. Firm chairperson Kelly Thompson ‘provides phenomenal support in relation to trade mark opposition and infringement matters across the African continent‘, and Janice Galvad oversees patents and designs matters. Dario Tanziani  leads the patents and designs renewals and recordals side of the practice, and Nicky Garnett is the key contact for the firm’s African patents and designs work. Nolwazi Gcaba heads up the trade mark renewals section; Godfrey Budeli fronts anti-counterfeiting; and Nishan Singh and Steven Yeates are key names for trade mark litigation and prosecution respectively. Consultant Mariëtte du Plessis, Darren Olivier, Dale Healy, Alexis Apostolidis, Russell Bagnall, Sophia Smallbones and Darshan Moodley are star names in the department.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kelly Thompson; Janice Galvad; Steven Yeates; Nishan Singh; Nolwazi Gcaba; Dario Tanziani; Nicky Garnett; Godfrey Budeli


Autres avocats clés:

Mariëtte du Plessis; Darren Olivier; Alexis Apostolidis; Russell Bagnall; Dale Healy; Sophia Smallbones; Darshan Moodley; Gérard du Plessis


Les références

‘Kelly Thompson is extremely responsive and takes a pragmatic and commercially focused approach to all that she does. Her calm and considered style makes working with her a real pleasure.’

‘Adams & Adams’ intellectual property practice is very responsive. Their collaborative approach and their ability to build consensus is unique and refreshing. Clients feel like they are part of a team with Adams & Adams and the relationships created are strong and authentic.’

‘Knowledgeable, communicate well, efficient.’

Principaux clients

Samsung


Coca-Cola


Intel Corporation


Caterpillar


BMW


FirstRand Bank


Chanel


Netflix


Sony


Robert Bosch GmbH


Novartis


Mastercard


Lacoste


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully represented National Brands as owner of the Salticrax trade mark before the Supreme Court of Appeal, in trade mark opposition proceedings against Cape Cookies concerning the latter’s registration of the trade mark SnackCrax.
  • Representing UK-based company Pro:Direct and Pro:Direct Soccer in litigation against a South African entity incorporated as Pro Direct Soccer (Pty) Ltd, which created a website using the client’s name.
  • Acting for Intel in ongoing trade mark infringement proceedings in Uganda.

Spoor & Fisher

Spoor & Fisher is well known for its specialist expertise in intellectual property law. The firm fields experience across all areas of IP, advising on patents, copyright, trade marks, commercial IP, litigation, domain names and registered designs, to name a few areas. Dirk Hanekom oversees the patents team, Mohamed Khader leads the anti-counterfeiting team, and Marco van der Merwe  heads the trade marks team. IP litigation expert Eben van Wyk is well versed in handling trade mark disputes, and Dina Biagio is very experienced in advising on patent work. Tyron Grant specialises in biotech patent matters, while John Foster  advises on copyright and unlawful competition claims. Charles Webster and Carl van Rooyen are highly regarded practitioners in the IP space. Zama Buthelezi, Chyreene Truluck and Merlene Engelbrecht are also singled out for their contributions. Hugh Moubray has retired from practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marco van der Merwe; Dirk Hanekom; Mohamed Khader


Autres avocats clés:

Eben van Wyk; Dina Biagio; Charles Webster; Carl van Rooyen; John Foster; Tyron Grant; Zama Buthelezi; Merlene Engelbrecht; Chyreene Truluck


Les références

‘Always ready, very creative answers and quick solutions, transparent fees.’

Principaux clients

Anglo Corporate Services South Africa (Pty) Limited


Tiger Food Brands Intellectual Property Holding Company (Pty) Ltd (“Tiger Brands”)


Distell Ltd


My Light Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a Shimansky


The United States Polo Association


Brand Quantum International (Pty) Limited


Nelson Mandela University (“NMMU”)


Deere & Co.


The Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC) of Épernay


De Wetshof Estate (Wine Estate)


ENSafrica

ENSafrica‘s intellectual property practice ‘provides a world-class service‘ and ‘an unparalleled level of efficiency in navigating through the complex and ever-evolving world of intellectual property‘, and the team garners praise for its ‘in-depth knowledge of patent laws and regulations‘. Practice head Gaelyn Scott has a strong reputation for her expertise in advising on strategic portfolio and brand management, the enforcement of intellectual property rights and IP disputes. Waldo Steyn  leads the commercial IP group, and counts licensing and franchising as core strengths. Joanne van Harmelen specialises in pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology patents matters. Rowan Forster focuses on assisting agrochemical sector clients with trade mark and patent issues; he co-leads the trade mark prosecution team with the ‘detail-oriented and extremely professionalIlse du Plessis. Liézal Mostert and Tevin Jones are also singled out for their contributions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gaelyn Scott


Autres avocats clés:

Rowan Forster; Joanne van Harmelen; Ilse du Plessis; Waldo Steyn; Liézal Mostert; Tevin Jones


Les références

‘Approachable and friendly team with an impressive reach across Africa.’

‘Ilse du Plessis is a pleasure to deal with.’

The team’s level of professionalism and dedication surpasses all expectations. From the very beginning of the patent application process, they demonstrated an exceptional understanding of my needs and a keen attention to detail.’

Principaux clients

Altron TMT Proprietary Limited


ABSA Bank


Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd


Bidvest


Bloomberg


Central University of Technology (CUT)


Ceva Animal


Christian Laboutin


Cipla


Cirque du Soleil


Conde Nast / Advance Legal


Core Computer Group


Cricket South Africa


Dr Reddy’s


EOH


Eskom


Ferrero Group / Soremartec


Grindrod


Korridor Holdings


Kganya Brands


Hilton Hotels


Hollard


Investec


Italtile


Lactalis


Life Healthcare


MTN Group


Nedbank


Ninety One


Omnia Group Proprietary Limited


Ram Couriers


Sappi


Sanlam


Servest


South African Airways


South African Reserve Bank


Telkom


Teva Pharmaceuticals


Tiger Food Brands Intellectual Property Holding Company


Unilever


UPL group


Weir Minerals


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Altron TMT SA Group Proprietary Limited on the IP aspects of a sale of business and a related “safety-net” licence to a counter party.
  • Assisting Omnia Group with multinational patent filing and portfolio management.
  • Assisted the UPL group of companies with filing over 1100 trade marks in multiple jurisdictions as well as maintaining the UPL in-house trade mark database.

Von Seidels

Von Seidels‘ intellectual property practice has a solid track record in representing clients from the pharmaceuticals, engineering, life sciences, biotechnology, software and oil and gas industries in patents, trade mark and copyright matters. Erik Van Der Vyver leads the firm’s patents team, while Claire Smedley oversees the trade marks group. Ralph van Niekerk is a key name for patent litigation and technology licensing work, and assists software and electronics companies with patent portfolio management. Simonne Moodie specialises in trade mark matters, and also advises on domain name registrations and copyright licensing. Llewellyn du Toit handles medical and pharmaceutical patents matters, and has niche expertise in plant breeders’ rights. Rowan Joseph, Gunther Roland, and Cronje Jackson are key practitioners in the department.

Responsables de la pratique:

Erik van der Vyver; Claire Smedley


Autres avocats clés:

Ralph van Niekerk; Rowan Joseph; Gunther Roland; Simonne Moodie; Llewellyn du Toit; Cronje Jackson


Principaux clients

University of the Free State


Stellenbosch University


Entersekt


IOT.nxt


Villa Crop Protection


Fratelli Martini


The Jane Goodall Institute Global


Channel Technologies FZE


Specsavers B.V.


Cisco


GroundProbe


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the University of the Free State on patent protection matters and the filing of an international PCT patent application for multinuclear metal complexes.
  • Assisted Stellenbosch University with filing patent applications for polymers used in antimicrobial coatings and polymers used for nanodisc formation to facilitate membrane protein studies.
  • Represented Villa Crop Protection against Bayer before the Constitutional Court of South Africa in a patent infringement matter based on the doctrine of unclean hands.

Webber Wentzel

The ‘strong and capable‘ team at Webber Wentzel is well-known for advising on transactional and commercial IP matters, and assists clients from the healthcare, TMT, pharmaceutical, financial services and energy sectors, among others. Practice head Leanne Mostert ‘is always at the forefront of new IP developments‘, and TMT expert Peter Grealy is ‘generous with his advice and a problem solver‘. Tim Ball has experience in handling patent litigation for general pharmaceutical companies, and Carla Collett is a key name for advising on the monetisation of IP and data assets, copyright and trade mark litigation, and high-value commercial IP transactions. Bernadette Versfeld is very well known for her specialist focus on all areas of intellectual property law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Leanne Mostert; Peter Grealy


Autres avocats clés:

Bernadette Versfeld; Tim Ball; Carla Collett


Les références

‘The people are leading experts in their respective knowledge areas but have the ability to explain complex matters in such a way that anyone can understand it. No task is too small to take on and their attention to detail, even for small projects, are amazing. They are extremely efficient but never lose their people focus. ’

‘Leanne Mostert is innovative and understand how legal matters should align with the real world. ’

‘The team are exceptionally experienced.’

Principaux clients

Sanlam


Heineken International B.V


Ethos AI Fund


LA Group Investment Pty Ltd


Remgro Management Services


Akzo Nobel N.V


WMG Management Europe Limited


MTN


Multichoice


Haribo GmbH/ Rigo Trading


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as IP counsel to Sanlam on the formation of a joint venture with Allianz across 29 African jurisdictions to create the largest insurance group on the African continent.
  • Advising Heineken on the IP aspects of its proposed acquisition of South African wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings Limited, valued at ZAR 40.1 billion.
  • Representing an individual in bringing a compulsory licence application under South African patents against Vertex Pharmaceuticals, concerning Vertex’s cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta.

KISCH IP

KISCH IP houses ‘a great team with excellent knowledge of the IP business.’ Julia Stephens leads on trade mark work, while Lindy Lowne-Hughes heads the patent renewals group. Mercia Fynn focuses on IP commercialisation, and Masi Mtshali leads the anti-counterfeiting team. Andrew Papadopoulos is a key contact for IP litigation, and Adelhart Krüger specialises in contentious and non-contentious patent work, as well as having niche expertise in advising on unlawful competition and copyright matters for engineering clients. Tammi Pretorius is noted for her trade mark expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Julia Stephens; Lindy Lowne-Hughes; Mercia Fynn; Masi Mtshali


Autres avocats clés:

Andrew Papadopoulos; Adelhart Krüger; Tammi Pretorius


Les références

The level of service is very high.’

Mercia Fynn is extremely professional, polite and friendly.’

Each individual I have worked with at KISCH is a capable IP lawyer.’

Moore Attorneys

Boutique law firm Moore Attorneys assists clients from the education, banking, entertainment, manufacturing and media sectors with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters. The team has also been kept busy advising on licensing issues, commercial transactions and enforcement matters. Firm founder and managing partner Shane Moore specialises in representing clients from the food and beverage, sports, fashion and entertainment and media sectors. Moore heads the practice with litigation expert Kyle Dalton and Shannen Koekemoer, who focuses on trade mark work. Keegan Hyde brings expertise in patent prosecution.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shane Moore; Kyle Dalton; Shannen Koekemoer


Autres avocats clés:

Keegan Hyde


Les références

‘The team at Moore Attorneys are highly experienced in trade mark law and have been able to assist us with trade mark registrations locally and internationally. Their billing is very competitive.’

‘Their lawyers are always available and responsive and are willing to provide initial feedback on matters without being formally briefed. Shane Moore and Shannen Koekemoer have been a pleasure to work with.’

Principaux clients

Bridgestone South Africa


Telesure Investment Holdings


Hirt & Carter Group


Pick n Pay Retailers


PG Group


Mondi Limited


KAP Limited


Afrisam South Africa


Imperial Logistics / DP World


West Pack Lifestyle


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Kasada Capital Management on the acquisition of the Cape Grace Hotel and the rights to the Cape Grace brand at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Werksmans Attorneys

Werksmans Attorneys’ team of ‘consummate professionals‘ works in tandem with the firm’s wider litigation and commercial departments, and is well known for advising on domain name disputes, cross-border transactions, IP portfolio management and the protection of IP rights. Practice head Janine Hollesen specialises in IP law; Donvay Wegierski leads the department’s foreign trade mark division. Dannielle Fiff and Monique le Roux are also praised for their contributions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Janine Hollesen; Donvay Wegierski


Autres avocats clés:

Dannielle Fiff; Monique le Roux


Les références

‘The intellectual property team is of the highest possible calibre! Not only are they diverse but they work as a collective and ensure your needs as a client are always met by going above and beyond.’

Very authentic professionals.’

‘Janine Hollesen and Donvay Wegierski have a wealth of knowledge. They are both powerhouses who consistently deliver. They have always been meticulous when providing opinions and advice and even just day to day assistance. It is always a pleasure working with them and their team members because you know you receive quality work on time (if not before agreed deadlines) and from a team that are not only professional but just great people.’

Principaux clients

Monster Energy Company


Petredec Holdings Pte. Ltd


Acorn Holdings Proprietary Limited


Shoprite Checkers Proprietary Limited


Beijing Automobile Group Co. Ltd.


Pioneer Foods and Ceres Fruit Juices (“Pioneer”)


Various South African wineries including Boschkloof Wines, Du Toitskloof Wines Klein Constantia Winery (Pty) Limited; Tokara Winery; Groot Constantia


Les Grands Chais De France SAS


Iwayini Company (Pty) Limited


Energy Beverages


Reign Beverage Company


Garmin Switzerland GMBH (“Garmin”)


Swartland Winery


Quantum Foods Proprietary Limited


Various divisions of Pepkor and associated companies


Clover S.A Proprietary Limited


Spier Wines


Ceres Fruit Juices (Pty) Limited (merged with Pepsico Inc)


South African Rugby Union


Pick n Pay (Pty) Limited


Karsten Boerdery


Hungry Lion


Professional Provident Society (PPS)


Santam Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Petredec Holdings Pte. Ltd with its global IP portfolio.
  • Assisted the firm’s commercial team with conducting an IP due diligence exercise in various jurisdictions for Vivo Energy Investments B.V.
  • Assisted Acorn Holdings with its global IP portfolio.