Design Protection for Spare Parts in South Africa and the United States
In BMW v Grandmark International 2014 (1) SA 323 (SCA), the Supreme Court of Appeal found BMW’s registered designs for vehicle spare parts to be invalid. The designs in question were for a bonnet, a grille, a headlight assembly and … Continue reading
Doing Business in China Event
At the October 2019 Von Seidels Technology and Networking Event, we welcomed IP Manager from the University of Cape Town’s RC&I department, Philip Hoekstra as our guest speaker. Philip, who is conversant with the technology transfer considerations and opportunities within … Continue reading
67 Logos Designathon on Mandela Day
Von Seidels gives 67 South African start-ups a 67% discount on trademarks Von Seidels is happy to once again be a sponsor of this year’s 67 Logos Designathon hosted by CWDi for Mandela Day. “Taking place on Mandela Day, 18 July 2019, … Continue reading
Trademark Update: Rwanda
Renewal of trade marks soon due in Rwanda The Rwanda Law 31/2009 on the Protection of Intellectual Property was enacted in 2009 and came into force on 14 December 2009. This legislation has contributed to the consolidation and integration of … Continue reading
IP Update: Kenya
Amendments to various Intellectual Property Laws in Kenya The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2018 entered into force in Kenya on 18 January 2019 and seeks to make various amendments to (among others) the following pieces of legislation: The Industrial … Continue reading
IP Update: ARIPO
Request for examination of ARIPO patent applications. An amendment to the Harare Protocol effective 1 January 2017 requires that a request for substantive search and examination must be made within the prescribed period for any patent applications filed on or … Continue reading
Von Seidels at BIPF / FICPI 2019 BRICS IP Forum
Bastiaan Koster speaking at the BIPF / FICPI 2019 BRICS IP Forum in Sweden. At this year’s BIPF (BRICS IP Forum) on 9 & 10 May 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden there will be a special session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and … Continue reading
South African Official Fees for Patents and Designs to Increase
In March 2019 the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) announced a fee increase in the official fees for patents and designs which was to take effect on 1 April 2019. This notice was, however, withdrawn prior to … Continue reading
Nigeria Launches Compendium of Rulings
Nigerian Trademarks Registry releases first-ever Compendium of Rulings. In a letter sent to local trade mark attorneys and owners on 15 March 2019, the Nigerian Trademarks Registry has announced the release of the Compendium of Rulings of the Trademarks Tribunal. The … Continue reading
Update on New IP Act in Namibia
By way of background, Namibia promulgated a new Industrial Property Act (IP Act) as long ago as 2012, but it only came into force on 1 August 2018 after the enabling regulations were published on 1 June 2018. There was very little … Continue reading
