Legal updates and opinions
News / News
Can you copy a product of someone else?
By Janine Hollesen, Director
This question was all over social media and media reports when the owner of Ubuntu Baba used the power of social media to bring to the attention of the South African public, its copying allegations against Woolworths in relation to a baby carrier. This again illustrates the legs which social media has to carry a story of this nature.
The bottom line is that it is not unlawful to copy another person’s product or idea, provided that it is not protected by a form of intellectual property, such as patents, designs, copyright, trade marks or in the get-up of the product.
This issue has been more fully dealt with in our Legal Werks article which can be found here.
Latest News
Dismissal for misrepresentation when applying for a position
Falsely misrepresented credentials during the job application process An employee may be found guilty of misconduct if an employer can [...]
Acceleration clause – Contra Bonos Mores?
An acceleration clause When a party to a contract defaults on one of their payments, one of the questions that [...]
Alcohol abuse in the workplace
Employers are often beset with the challenges of addressing issues of alcohol abuse in the workplace. Challenges of addressing issues [...]
The requirements for effecting lawful deductions arising out of damages caused by an employee’s negligence
Sections 34(1)(a) and 34(2) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997 (“BCEA”) state that an employer can make [...]
The importance of the recognition of cultural beliefs in the workplace
Cultural beliefs in the workplace Issue in dispute Can an employee who has a genuine cultural belief that she [...]
Let the litigation funder beware
Litigation funding agreement A litigation funding agreement is an agreement that provides for a non-party to finance a legal action [...]
