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 Supreme Court of Appeal steps in to protect the rights of dual-citizens
Many South Africans were unaware that, until 13 June 2023, if they acquired citizenship in another country (other than [...]
Exploring the right to privacy
Where does the right to privacy begin? Where does it end? Consider this in the context of a recent [...]
The sword finally falls, ironically on justice itself | DoJ fine by Information Regulator
What is the price that one pays for not having antivirus software? R5 million according to the Information Regulator [...]
The settlement agreement concluded at the ILO has not changed the new Employment Equity interventions
In 2021, a complaint was filed with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) against the South African Government in relation [...]
Time to focus! Comments called for on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill
and Chiara Ferri, Candidate Attorney The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, 2022 (the Bill), has been published for comment and aims [...]
National Health Insurance: What benefit; for whom, where and how?
As has widely been reported in the media, the National Health Insurance Bill[1] or the Bill has been passed [...]
