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
On to the next! The Competition Commission Sets its Sights on Digital Platforms
The Competition Commission (Commission) plans to conduct an inquiry into the distribution of media content on digital platforms.[1] The inquiry, [...]
The Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill is a step closer to becoming law
by Dakalo Singo, Director and Head of Pro Bono Practice On 14 March 2023, the National Assembly passed the Prevention [...]
Sticking (it) to the rules? Sometimes, unless that would be unfair
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director and Kelly Sease, Candidate Attorney CCMA Rules South African labour legislation sets up fundamental structures for [...]
Sexual harassment in the workplace – a balanced consideration
By Bradley Workman-Davies, Director and Kelly Sease, Candidate Attorney On 18 March 2022, the Minister of Employment and Labour (“Minister“) [...]
NFTs and Trade Mark Infringement – Hermès International and Hermès of Paris, Inc vs Mason Rothschild
A US Court has found in favour of French Fashion House, Hermès, owner of the renowned Birkin handbag, in it's [...]
Does an employer’s decision to exclude employees from a commission scheme constitute an unfair labour practice
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director and Kelly Sease, Candidate Attorney In a recent case the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration [...]
