Legal updates and opinions
Author
News / News
South Africa: Recognition and Protection of Karoo Lamb as a Geographical Indication
South African Geographical Indication’s (“GI”) include Rooibos (Western Cape), Honeybush (Eastern Cape and Western Cape), and several wine GIs including Stellenbosch, Constantia and Paarl, which are all recognised as GIs under various legislation. Karoo Lamb / Karoo Lam’ is the first South African product to be registered as a geographical indication under South Africa’s Agricultural Products Standards Act.
The Act controls and promotes specific product standards (e.g. meat, dairy products) notably from a quality point of view both locally and for export.
Geographical Indications (“GIs”) are signs on products which denote qualities and characteristics which are as a consequence of origin. The protection and enforcement of GIs promote the exclusivity of products from specific regions and boost local economies
Karoo Lamb has been granted GI status due to its distinctive qualities, supported by evidence as a result of extensive research. Its unique taste and texture are attributed to the Karoo lamb’s diet, which primarily consists of Fynbos in the semi-desert natural landscape of the Karoo.
Only lamb exclusive to the Karoo may now carry this GI with the Act making it an offence to use a mark, in connection with the sale of an agricultural product, that conveys or creates a false or misleading impression as to, amongst others, the quality or place of production of such product.
MEET THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TEAM
Janine Hollesen
Director, Head of Intellectual Property
Donvay Wegierski
Director
Bontle Monnya
Associate
Danielle Fiff
Associate
Latest News
What Sedumedi v Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Teaches Employers About Contract Clarity
by Jacques van Wyk, Director and Mike Searle, Candidate Attorney ISSUE Can an employer terminate a fixed-term employment contract prior [...]
Hail the new King – Comments on the new draft King V Governance Code for South African Boards of Directors
by Eric Levenstein, Director and Head of the Insolvency and Business Rescue and Kaymana Han, Candidate Attorney With the release [...]
Managers, who are members/representatives of a trade union, are still required to fulfil their contractual obligations to their employer
by Andre van Heerden, Director and Hannah Fowler, Candidate Attorney Introduction In Association of Mineworkers and Construction Workers Union obo Ntuli [...]
Illegal Miners: The Mine Health and Safety Obligations of Mining Right Holders for Mines No Longer “Being Worked”
by Kathleen Louw, Director, and Alexi Andropoulos, Candidate Attorney 1. The tragedy which occurred in Stilfontein earlier this year (“the [...]
Taxation of Rewards Points
by Doelie Lessing, Director and Head of Tax and Robyn Schonegevel, Associate It has become common for businesses to implement [...]
Competition Law: Transformation and public interest in abuse of dominance cases
with assistance from Kwanele Diniso, associate Recent developments in South African competition law have significantly elevated the role of transformative [...]
