Intellectual Property
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 12 676 1111About
Provided by Spoor & Fisher
Overview
A boutique firm specialising in intellectual property (IP) law, Spoor & Fisher is an internationally-rated practice that has been firmly rooted on the African continent since 1920. Its main offices are in South Africa (Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town) and the Channel Islands (Jersey). We also have subsidiary offices in Gambia, Ghana, ARIPO (via Malawi), OAPI (via Cameroon), Zambia and also direct filing presence in Sierra Leone and Zanzibar. Spoor & Fisher South Africa focuses on the Southern African region while also securing and enforcing IP rights in the USA, Europe and Asia via close relationships with international IP practitioners. The remainder of Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean fall under Spoor & Fisher Jersey, with an extensive network of local practitioners providing services throughout these regions.
Specialisations
Spoor & Fisher handles the filing, registration, prosecution and enforcement of trade marks, patents, designs and copyright. Clients also choose us to draft agreements for their commercial IP transactions and to negotiate the best terms. Our intricate knowledge of over 80 different IP laws and practices across our core geographical regions - Africa and the Caribbean - enables us to create and implement robust IP protection strategies for our clients.
Chambers Review
Spoor & Fisher is a distinguished law firm with renowned proficiency across a wide variety of IP-related commercial concerns. Based in Pretoria, the firm is well regarded for its ability to service its prestigious client base in South Africa and throughout the continent, with clients derived from industry sectors such as healthcare, consumer goods and financial services. The team demonstrates proficiency acting for clients in areas including trade mark and patent prosecution and enforcement, acting for both plaintiffs and defendants, with comprehensive accompanying registration and renewal capabilities. Additionally, this firm is noted for its expertise in anti-counterfeiting.
Work Highlights
- Spoor & Fisher represented the retail company Takealot in an anti-counterfeiting matter before the High Court of South Africa.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Spoor & Fisher shows expert knowledge in intellectual property law."
"There are a number of knowledgeable legal practitioners that we can tap into, and we enjoy a rapid response to enquiries."
"Spoor & Fisher's team has great lawyers, with great business vision. They are easy to work with and responsive."
"Spoor & Fisher shows expert knowledge in intellectual property law."
"There are a number of knowledgeable legal practitioners that we can tap into, and we enjoy a rapid response to enquiries."
"Spoor & Fisher's team has great lawyers, with great business vision. They are easy to work with and responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Pretoria-based Charles Webster is an accomplished trade mark and copyright litigation counsel. He shows further experience in anti-counterfeiting matters and issues relating to competition law.
"Charles Webster is very responsive and strategic. He understands the industry and the business."
Eben van Wyk services a roster of notable clients in the media and food and beverage industries from a base in Cape Town. He is sought for his counsel on trade mark opposition and infringement disputes, as well as trade mark filings and domain name registration.
Jonathan Whittaker is the Pretoria-based chair of the firm. He has a particularly well-established reputation for his patent work, with his extensive litigation experience being complemented by his advisory practice. He has experience acting for clients in a range of areas, including the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Pretoria-based David Cochrane is an experienced practitioner, with an excellent track record representing domestic and international clients in patent applications and prosecutions.
Dina Biagio is based in Pretoria and advises clients on a broad range of commercial IP matters, including licensing and transactions. She has further experience in carrying out IP audits and investigations as well as patent work.
"Dina Biagio is a knowledgeable and proactive attorney, who has been of tremendous assistance to us."
"She has excellent commercial knowledge."
Lance Abramson enjoys a strong reputation for his expertise in advising clients on patent prosecution and patent filings.
Carl van Rooyen is a Pretoria-based partner with longstanding activity in the market. He has a well-established reputation for his contentious trade mark and copyright representation.
"Carl van Rooyen exhibits great technical knowledge."
Herman Blignaut is a skilled advocate based in Pretoria, where he is regularly engaged on trade mark and copyright litigation and opposition.
"Herman Blignaut's work is excellent."
Kay Rickelman is held in high regard by market commentators for her advice on trade mark registration and litigation.
"Kay Rickelman is super-smart. She is a great trade mark practitioner who knows the law inside-out."
Ranked Lawyers at
Spoor & Fisher
South Africa
Members
Provided by Spoor & Fisher