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
Employers have rights too: Rebalancing the modern workplace
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director South African labour law is often discussed through the lens of employee protection. That is unsurprising. [...]
From policy direction to regulation: Is South Africa finally achieving rapid deployment?
by Corlett Manaka, Director and Head of Disputes, Akhona Bilatyi, Director and Kuhle Joja, Associate In September 2024, we published [...]
South Africa: Merger Notification Thresholds and Filing Fees Increase from 1 May 2026
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of Regulatory and Raisah O Mahomed, Associate South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and [...]
“Corporate Death by Winding-Up”: Pretoria High Court Reaffirms the Badenhorst Principle
by Eric Levenstein, Director and Head Insolvency & Business Rescue, Amy Mackechnie, Senior Associate and Clio Patricios, Candidate Attorney A [...]
South Africa’s Information Regulator: What the 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan means for Business (as presented to the Portfolio Committee on 5 May 2026
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of Regulatory “It is only the inner sanctum of a person, such as his/her [...]
Urgency misconceived: A cautionary note on process, principle and professional responsibility
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director The decision in Wheatley v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration & others (2026) 47 ILJ [...]
