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Spoor & Fisher
Department profile | Spoor & Fisher
Intellectual Property

About

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

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - South Africa

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

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

Provided by Spoor & Fisher

  • Spoor & Fisher represented Oracle Corporation in trade mark infringement proceedings against Black Oracle Consortium.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They are very thorough in their comments and advice and very responsive, even with extremely tight turnaround times.

Intellectual Property respondent
Global

Spoor & Fisher is a go-to IP firm that is very knowledgeable in the sector.

Intellectual Property respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Charles Webster
1
Charles Webster
1
Band 1
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.

He is strategic, reasonable and knows the law.

Charles Webster is a trusted adviser for disputes and truly a safe pair of hands.

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Eben van Wyk
2
Eben van Wyk
2
Band 2

Eben van Wyk services a roster of notable clients in the media and food and beverage industries from his base in Cape Town. He is sought out for his counsel on trade mark opposition and infringement disputes, as well as trade mark filings and domain name registration.

Eben van Wyk is reliable and sophisticated. He is an excellent performer.

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3
David Cochrane
3
Band 3

Pretoria-based David Cochrane is an experienced practitioner with an excellent track record of assisting domestic and international clients with patent applications and prosecutions.

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Dina Biagio
3
Dina Biagio
3
Band 3

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.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and is commercial.

Dina Biagio is very knowledgeable and customer-centric.

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Jonathan Whittaker
3
Jonathan Whittaker
3
Band 3

Jonathan Whittaker is the Pretoria-based chair of the firm. He has a particularly well-established reputation for his patent work, with extensive litigation experience that is complemented by his advisory practice. He has experience acting for clients in a range of areas, including the mining and manufacturing sectors.

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3
Lance Abramson
3
Band 3
Lance Abramson enjoys a strong reputation for his expertise in advising clients on patent prosecution and patent filings.
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Carl van Rooyen
4
Carl van Rooyen
4
Band 4

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.

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Herman Blignaut
4
Herman Blignaut
4
Band 4

Herman Blignaut is a skilled advocate based in Pretoria, where he is regularly engaged in trade mark and copyright litigation and opposition.

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Kay Rickelman
4
Kay Rickelman
4
Band 4
Kay Rickelman is held in high regard by market commentators for her advice on trade mark registration and litigation.
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Ranked Lawyers at
Spoor & Fisher

Provided by Chambers
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Band

South Africa

Intellectual Property
Charles Webster
1
Charles Webster
1
Band 1
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Eben van Wyk
2
Eben van Wyk
2
Band 2
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Dina Biagio
3
Dina Biagio
3
Band 3
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Carl van Rooyen
4
Carl van Rooyen
4
Band 4
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Herman Blignaut
4
Herman Blignaut
4
Band 4
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Kay Rickelman
4
Kay Rickelman
4
Band 4
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Intellectual Property: Patents
3
David Cochrane
3
Band 3
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Jonathan Whittaker
3
Jonathan Whittaker
3
Band 3
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3
Lance Abramson
3
Band 3
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