Legal updates and opinions
Post Author
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 Labour Laws Amendment Bill
By: Jacques van Wyk, Director and Yusha Davidson, Candidate Attorney INTRODUCTION The Labour Laws Amendment Bill ("LLA Bill") is a [...]
Director, Neil Kirby comments on NHI and Medical Schemes Amendment Bill post the briefing by Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi
"The Minister of Health has described the advent of national health insurance or NHI as the land issue in the [...]
South Africa: A South African Perspective on Restructuring Mechanisms
Director, Eric Levenstein and Senior Associate, Lara von Wildenrath contribute to The European, Middle Eastern and African Restructuring Review 2018.This [...]
Mindset shift needed in arbitration
Speed, cost-efficiency and the ability to tailor the process to fit the parameters of the dispute are among the most [...]
Can directors of state-owned companies be held to account by the SA public?
South African President Ramaphosa admitted in his state of the nation address that state-owned enterprises “are experiencing severe financial operation [...]
Trade marks: sports and the creation of superstars
As the largest single sporting event, the FIFA World Cup is watched across the globe which has led to [...]
