Legal updates and opinions
Post 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
Previous renewal does not automatically constitute an expectation of re-renewal
and Tasreeq Ferreira, Candidate Attorney Issue Whether the non-renewal of an employee's fixed term contract ("FTC")constituted an unfair dismissal as [...]
Taking stock of collective misconduct
and Nombulelo Bashe, Candidate Attorney The retail sector is often burdened with the issue of stock losses or shrinkage. Employers [...]
Celebrating Heritage Month: The Xibelani Dance
In our recent article, we discussed the challenges of safeguarding traditional cultural expressions within conventional intellectual property regimes. We now [...]
The Financial Services Tribunal’s position on the withholding of a pension benefit pursuant to a criminal complaint
In this article we will discuss the extent to which employers may withhold a pension benefit if such employer has [...]
OpenAI vs Open AI
OpenAI Inc ("OpenAI"), the originator of ChatGPT, has launched trade mark infringement and unfair competition proceedings in the USA against [...]
Enforcement notice issued to Dis-Chem due to contravention of POPIA
and Chiara Ferri, Candidate Attorney The importance of compliance has once again been highlighted as the Information Regulator issued an [...]
