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
Corroborative evidence is required to establish intoxication
By: Jacques van Wyk, Director, Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and, Unathi Jukuda, Candidate Attorney ISSUE Whether an employer can dismiss [...]
Is an employee able to avoid a disciplinary hearing or disciplinary sanction by resigning?
It is trite law that employees may resign from his employment, either with immediate effect or on notice, thereby unilaterally [...]
Paternity leave
By Jacques van Wyk, Director and Yusha Davidson, Candidate Attorney The Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 ("BCEA") [...]
Struggle songs in the workplace
By Jacques van Wyk, Director and Yusha Davidson, Candidate Attorney ISSUE Is the singing of struggle songs in the workplace [...]
Draft Employment Equity Regulations, 2018
By Jacques van Wyk, Director and Yusha Davidson, Candidate Attorney The Minister of Labour has published the Draft Employment Equity [...]
The Employment Equity Amendment Bill, 2018
By Jacques van Wyk, Director and Yusha Davidson, Candidate Attorney The Employment Equity Amendment Bill, 2018 ("Bill") amends specific provisions [...]
