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
Certificate of need in the healthcare sector: not needed
The National Health Act or NHA[1] makes provision for a system of licensing referred to as a certificate of [...]
The FSCA publishes exemptions for Crypto Assets Financial Service Providers
Siphosethu Zazela, Candidate Attorney On 11 May 2023, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority ("FSCA") published notice 25 of 2023 [...]
Pro Bono Articles
Five tips to optimise your first consultation with an attorney Coercive and Controlling Behaviour in the Domestic Violence Act [...]
FAQ – Opportunities for investors arising from the South African business rescue process
DOWNLOAD THE FAQ GUIDE HERE The South African business rescue process has created the opportunity for investors (local and [...]
Raging against the machine
and Thembelihle Tshabalala, Candidate Attorney, The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is generating infinite possibilities and particularly so [...]
Additional obligations on accountable institutions
Following on the recent amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 38 of 2001 ("FICA") and most notably, the [...]
