South Africa: Intellectual Property

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Intellectual property law and copyright law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as licensing and syndication, patent law, trade secrets and trademark law.

Nice Classification Edition 13 Is Now In Force

The 13th Edition of the Nice Classification is now in effect. Nice is the international classification system trade mark offices use (including CIPC) to decide which goods and services your trade mark protection actually...

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

A Fragmented Landscape: Bridging The Copyright Gap In Africa

A balanced framework – one that protects creators while ensuring access to knowledge – can contribute meaningfully to cultural diversity, innovation and long-term growth across the continent.

South Africa IP

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Inventa

South Africa Adopts The 13th Edition Of The Nice Classification

As of 1 January 2026, South Africa has implemented the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

ARIPO's Overhauled Trade Mark System Goes Live On 1 March 2026

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has implemented one of its most substantial reforms through the revision of the Banjul Protocol, set to take effect on 1 March 2026.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

New Trade Mark Regulations Now In Effect

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

The Rise Of The DIY Patent: How South African Inventors Are Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

When Travel Becomes A Trade Mark

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Can Use Of An Email Address Be Trade Mark Infringement?

South Africa IP

E

ENS

Nikon vs Viltrox: A Simple Look At What This Patent Dispute Means

South Africa IP

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ENS

Patents, Innovation & Where The Law Draws The Line

South Africa IP

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ENS

Can You Own A Move? The Serve, The Swing And The IP Reality

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

CIPC Introduces Electronic Issuance Of Patents And Patents Of Addition

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Final Whistle – AFCON

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Your Name, Your Trade Mark

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Compensation For Occupational Injuries And Diseases Amendment Act, 10 Of 2022

South Africa Employment

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ENS

JSE Simplifies Listings Requirements

South Africa Commercial

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ENS

Nikon vs Viltrox: A Simple Look At What This Patent Dispute Means

South Africa IP

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ENS

Data Privacy Day – An African Perspective: Turning Responsibility Into Competitive Advantage

South Africa Privacy

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ENS

Restraint Of Trade After Dismissal: Labour Appeal Court Clarifies Enforceability

South Africa Employment

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ENS

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Copyright

A Fragmented Landscape: Bridging The Copyright Gap In Africa

A balanced framework – one that protects creators while ensuring access to knowledge – can contribute meaningfully to cultural diversity, innovation and long-term growth across the continent.

South Africa IP

I

Inventa

Can You Own A Move? The Serve, The Swing And The IP Reality

The banter between Alcaraz and Djokovic over Alcaraz's new serve motion at the Australian Open, which allegedly imitates Djokovic's serve, might be in a very sportsmanlike manner...

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

AI In Entertainment: Redefining Creativity, Ownership And The Future Of Storytelling

Every major creative revolution begins with fear. When photography was invented, painters feared that it was going to mark the end of art and painting. When sound started entering cinema...

South Africa Technology

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ENS

AI, IP And Class Actions: Navigating A New Global Litigation Frontier

South Africa IP

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ENS

Business Licensing Bill, 2025: Streamlining Trade Or Stifling Enterprise?

South Africa Government

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ENS

General Increase Of Official Fees

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Employer Of Record Arrangements: An Overview Of The Overlooked Intellectual Property Implications

South Africa Employment

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ENS

Eminem Vs. Meta: When Music Meets IP Law

South Africa IP

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ENS

When AI Meets IP: A Lawsuit Waiting To Happen?

South Africa IP

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ENS

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Licensing & Syndication

Trade Mark Licensing – Permitted Use, Registered Users And Revenue Growth

In our previous article we established the monetary value and financial leverage available for business owners, more specifically registered brand owners, through the hypotec/pledging route...

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Master Your Rights: How South African Artists Can Use Contracts To Secure Ownership Of Their Masters

For many South African musicians, landing a record deal feels like the breakthrough they have been working toward...

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

The Apple vs. Optis Patent Dispute: A Lesson In Patent Infringement And Licensing

As patent litigation continues to reshape the tech landscape, the ongoing case between Apple and Optis Cellular Technology highlights...

South Africa IP

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ENS

Viewing The SARB's Exchange Control Revisions Through An IP Licensing Lens

South Africa IP

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Fairbridges

How Copyright Applies To Free-to-copy Open-source Software

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

Foreign Electronic Certification Service Providers Now Recognised By The CA

South Africa Media & IT

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Bowmans

TikTok: Now To The Copyright And Political Issues

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ENS

Proposed Changes To South African Exchange Controls Relating To The Transfer And License Of SA-Owned Intellectual Property

South Africa International

AA

Adams & Adams

Compulsory Licenses In A Pandemic

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

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Patent

The Rise Of The DIY Patent: How South African Inventors Are Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

Something remarkable is happening at the South African Patent Office. For years, the number of provisional patent applications filed directly by inventors-without a patent attorney-held steady at around 40 to 50 per month.

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Patents, Innovation & Where The Law Draws The Line

Patents often get blamed when medicine prices make headlines - but without patents, many of the treatments we rely on simply wouldn't exist. A recent lawsuit involving Novo Nordisk and its diabetes drug Victoza...

South Africa IP

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ENS

Nikon vs Viltrox: A Simple Look At What This Patent Dispute Means

As a patent attorney's, we are often asked why companies can "open" a system and still sue others. The dispute between Nikon and Viltrox is a good example of how patents work in the real world.

South Africa IP

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ENS

CIPC Introduces Electronic Issuance Of Patents And Patents Of Addition

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Final Whistle – AFCON

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

The Kiddos vs. Chickees Packaging Battle

South Africa Media & IT

E

ENS

AFCON Eliminations: Celebrating African Football And Intellectual Property Development

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Protecting African Innovation: A Catalyst For Scale And The Future Of IP

South Africa IP

AA

Adams & Adams

Football And IP In Africa

AA

Adams & Adams

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Trade Secrets

Artificial Intelligence In South African Financial Sector: What The FSCA–PA Report Reveals About IP, Trade Secrets, And Smart Governance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming South Africa's financial sector, driving innovation, operational efficiency, and new customer experiences.

South Africa Technology

AA

Adams & Adams

When And How To Use Non-solicit And Non-compete Clauses In IT Contracts In South Africa

South African employers and business owners often rely on post‑termination restraints to protect customer relationships, confidential information...

South Africa Employment

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ENS

The Role Of Non-Disclosure Agreements In Commercial Transactions: Importance And Legal Implications

When it comes to high-stakes corporate transactions, information is power and protecting that information is critical. Whether you're negotiating a merger, exploring a joint venture, or conducting due diligence...

South Africa Commercial

BI

Barnard Inc.

The Business Of Ideas: Why Commercial Intellectual Property (IP) Really Matters

South Africa IP

E

ENS

The AI Trade Secret Tug-of-war

South Africa IP

E

ENS

When Can I Claim Unlawful Competition?

South Africa IP

BI

Barnard Inc.

After The Water Is Gone: Critical Decision On Post-termination Clauses

South Africa Commercial

E

ENS

IP In Practice: Legal And Commercial IP Developments In Kenya And South Africa

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ENS

Putting The "Claws" Into A Restraint Of Trade

South Africa Employment

BI

Barnard Inc.

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Latest Videos

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Ed Sheeran – Oh Why? (Videos)

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ENS

Lack Of Global Consensus On Rules For The Taxation Of Multinationals And The Risk Of A Global Trade War (Video)

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PwC Nigeria

Spirit Of The Law - Copyright Protection In The Digital Era Of Publishing (Video)

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KISCH IP

Protect Your Brand – Advice To Start-Ups (Video Content)

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TripleOKLaw

Social Media Images - When Can You Use Them (Video Content)

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Phukubje Pierce Masithela Attorneys

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