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 potential for competition law enforcement to revive and promote faster economic growth in South Africa
On 2 February 2016, the World Bank released its annual economic update report, titled “South Africa Economic Update, Promoting Faster [...]
2016/2017 budget proposals – Tax overview
INTRODUCTION The trend that began three years ago of a reduced number of substantive amendments announced in the [...]
Inside information interpreted by the courts
Matters relating to insider trading do not often come before the South African courts as the Enforcement Committee of the [...]
The termination of service level agreements: the application of Section 197 of the LRA
Enviroserv Waste Management v Interwaste (Pty) t/a Interwaste Environmental Solutions and Others (P408/15) [2015] ZALCPE 66 Issue Whether the expiry [...]
Tax amendments – 2015
INTRODUCTION The Taxation Laws Amendment Act, 2015 and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Act, 2015 have now both been passed by Parliament, [...]
Can an employer unilaterally impose short time on employees in circumstances of financial distress?
Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union and others v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and others (2015) 24 [...]
