Legal updates and opinions
News / News
Adidas and the stripes
By: Donvay Wegierski, Director
In 2015, Adidas successfully opposed the registration of two EU marks comprising two stripes belonging to Shoe Branding Europe marks on the basis of its three stripe registrations. On appeal, the EU General court has confirmed this position finding it likely that the use of the two-stripe mark will take unfair advantage of the three-stripe registration. This decision may deter the adoption of two stripe variations by others in the EU while Adidas continues to defend its three stripe registrations.
This may differ from the situation in South Africa, in that the Supreme Court of Appeal has found previously that two stripes on shoes had not constituted trade mark infringement or passing off, when the particular shoe was considered.
Latest News
The Importance Of Having A Justifiable Reason For Fixed Term Employment
By Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Chelsea Roux, Candidate AttorneyReviewed by Jacques van Wyk, Director ISSUE Whether the termination [...]
Fringe Benefit Resulting From The Payment By An Employer For The Provision Of Tax Consulting Services To Its Expatriate Employees
By Erich Bell, Director In the recent case of BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd v The Commissioner for the South [...]
When Is A Final Award Final?
By Pierre Burger, Director One of the cardinal sins an arbitration tribunal can commit is to deliver a final award [...]
The Case Of Copy-cat Packaging
By Janine Hollesen, Director, Head of Intellectual Property Practice Not only must a manufacturer of products consider whether the packaging [...]
POPIA and RICA – ACRONYMS AND PRIVACY
By Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Head of Data Privacy Practice In digital era, privacy must be a priority. Is it just me, [...]
Imminent Changes to US Immigration Program
There has been a lot of recent media attention surrounding the EB-5 Investment Visa Program, and for good reason. South [...]
