Legal updates and opinions
Authors
News / News
South Africa: Closure of the trade marks, designs and patents office during national lock-down
by Janine Hollesen, Director and Donvay Wegierski, Director
South Africa is currently in a 21 day national lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19, scheduled to end on 16 April 2020. Our firm continues to operate remotely with lawyers and support staff working from their homes, as we do our part to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) announced a closure of the Patents and Trade Marks Office from 26 March 2020 to 30 April 2020. During this period it will not be possible to file any trade mark, design or patent applications in South Africa. These days will be regarded as dies non and any deadlines that fall within this period will automatically be extended to the next normal business day. We expect the first normal business day to be 4 May 2020 due to 1 May 2020 being a national holiday.
We continue to render all our IP services throughout Africa in collaboration with our associate firms and will keep you informed of relevant changes and measures taken by the Patent and Trade Mark Offices in other African countries.
We take this opportunity to wish you, your families and loved ones good health, safety and wellbeing and we believe that we if continue to stand together to support each other we will get through this difficult time. Werksmans continues to publish COVID-related information, including legislative developments which may impact you, your business and your clients. For up to date information please visit www.werksmans.com.
Stay safe and healthy.
Latest News
Triumph for liquidators: Courts setting aside and declaring specious transactions void
by Tandiwe Matshebela, Director, Tebello Mosoeu, Associate, and Zoë Austen, Candidate Attorney Added to the liquidators' responsibility and duty to [...]
Considering the competition law implication of crypto currency and regulation one ought to say – Competition Commission start running!
The cryptocurrency sector is innovative and fast-moving. Cryptocurrency and crypt exchanges are attracting a lot of focus also as Crypto [...]
Too good to be true? What about your privacy?
It is common cause that the tech-bug has bitten us all (almost), and the evolution of the mobile application ("mobile [...]
Should there be limits on the extent to which personal information of a company’s shareholders are available to the public?
Section 26(2) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 ("Companies Act") provides that any person has the right to access [...]
Reviewing and updating your privacy notices
Transparency is one of the key principles for the lawful processing of personal information worldwide. If you collect and use [...]
Whistleblowing in South Africa – employers’ obligations
Whistleblowing is an important tool in identifying, preventing and eradicating criminal conduct, irregular activities, and other improprieties in both the [...]
