Christine Strutt

A dynamic attorney with a commercial focus on copyright, trademark and internet matters.

Christine Strutt’s background in law, online media, social entrepreneurship and commerce directs her focus areas.

About Christine Strutt

Christine is an experienced trade mark and copyright attorney, and a partner at Von Seidels.

Her field of expertise includes complex trade mark searches and the prosecution and enforcement of trade marks in Africa. Christine also counsels local and multinational companies on the legal aspects surrounding trade marks and branding, domain names, copyright, advertising standards, unfair competition, consumer protection, data privacy, social media, online ventures, internet and mobile commerce. In addition, Christine frequently advises on IP-related transactions and commercial issues including licensing, franchising, end-user agreements and terms of use.

Christine works increasingly with clients in the digital media, mobile, e-commerce and financial services sectors.

Having completed a dual degree in accounting and law, she also holds a master’s degree in intellectual property law and focused her studies on electronic IP, internet matters and the valuation of new media ventures.

She is a past president and director of Brightest Young Minds, a youth driven incubator for social entrepreneurship and was a key part of the team that expanded this initiative abroad. Since joining Von Seidels, Christine has been recognised in the Mail & Guardian’s list of “Top 200 Young South Africans” as one of 20 individuals listed in the Business and Law category and in Managing Intellectual Property Magazine’s list of “Top 250 Women in IP”, having been featured annually on its “IP Stars” list since 2014.

Christine currently serves on the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) Internet Committee.

Her involvement in various initiatives, lecturing and daily interaction with innovators, designers and entrepreneurs ensures she stays well informed of local innovation and international trends.

Best Lawyers recognises Christine Strutt as a leading lawyer in intellectual property law (2021 - 2024).

Managing Intellectual Property recognises Christine as a ‘Trademark Star’ (2014 - 2023).

World Trademark Review features Christine as a Leading Trade Mark Professional (2014 - 2024).

Legal 500 recognises Christine as a ‘Leading Individual’ (2013 - 2023).

Focus areas

Trade Mark prosecution
Due diligence
Trade Mark portfolio management
Trade Mark enforcement
Copyright
Internet and digital media
Unfair competition
Data privacy
Advertising standards
Contractual and Transactional IP issues
Regulatory IP issues

Education

Stellenbosch University, BAcc, LLB (2007)
South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (2009)
University of Cape Town, LLM (2013)

Affiliations and accolades

Attorney of the High Court, South Africa
Fellow, South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)
Member, Copyright Committee (SAIIPL)
Member, International Trademark Association (INTA)
International Trademark Association (INTA) Copyright Committee for matters concerning Artificial Intelligence and 3D-printing (2018-2020)
International Trademark Association (INTA) Internet Committee (2021)
Associate Member, European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA)

Featured in

Von Seidels Awarded

“Patent Firm of the Year – South Africa” recognition during Managing Intellectual Property’s awards ceremony held last night in London.

ECTA 2022

Christine Strutt will be representing Von Seidels at the ECTA Annual Conference taking place in Copenhagen from 15-18 June 2022.

Top 250 Women in IP

Congratulations to Christine Strutt who is 1 of only 6 women in Africa recognised in the 2022 edition of IP STARS (MIP), The Top 250 Women in IP.

INTA AM 2022

Our INTA team is excited to be flying to Washington D.C. for the in-person INTA Annual Meeting. We really look forward to reconnecting with our…