Intellectual Property
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 2
Contact number
+27 11 530 5000About
Provided by Webber Wentzel
Our strategy:
- to understand our client's IP assets through our management of these assets;
- to expertly and strategically assist clients with the monetisation of these assets which is best done by a full service firm;
- to offer our clients a 'one point of contact' service where our clients' portfolios are managed by one partner; and
- our collaborative approach with Linklaters and various local firms in Africa enable us to provide a seamless cross-border service offering.
Types of work:
- our experience extends to, among other things, licensing, distribution, technology transfer, investment agreements, research and collaboration, franchising, global joint ventures, transfers of IP through business and asset sales and related exchange control issues;
- trade mark oppositions, infringement and unlawful competition/passing off actions relating to trade marks, copyright, patents and registered designs, as well as domain name disputes, anti-counterfeiting, company name disputes and advertising standards authority matters; and
- we manage a substantial number of portfolios (including trademarks, copyright, registered designs, patents and domain names all over the world) for local, multi-national and international blue chip clients who operate across all major sectors.
Contacts: Leanne Mostert, Partner ([email protected]) and Bernadette Versfeld, Partner ([email protected]).
Chambers Review
Webber Wentzel is praised for its enviable ability to handle significant commercial matters in the IP space. The practice benefits from its prestigious national standing, with an exceptional portfolio of clients on its books. The firm acts for significant local and international clients in a number of sectors including financial services, media, consumer goods and technology. It offers experience advising on the IP ramifications of significant commercial transactions, with further strengths in trade mark filing and prosecution. Its lawyers demonstrate additional proficiency in trade mark infringement cases, including passing off.
Work Highlights
- Webber Wentzel assisted Heineken with the intellectual property matters arising from its acquisition of Distell Group.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Webber Wentzel is very to the point, and manages everything painlessly for you. They guide you very well and make it all very easy. It's good to know your trade mark portfolio is looked after."
"The team offers fantastic response times and availability."
"The law firm is very knowledgeable, with great depth and breadth to be able to assist with the legal matter effectively."
"Webber Wentzel is very to the point, and manages everything painlessly for you. They guide you very well and make it all very easy. It's good to know your trade mark portfolio is looked after."
"The team offers fantastic response times and availability."
"The law firm is very knowledgeable, with great depth and breadth to be able to assist with the legal matter effectively."
Notable Practitioners
Tim Ball has a well-established reputation for his patent work, with a focus on disputes and notable activity in infringement proceedings. Sitting in Cape Town, he acts for clients in a range of industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals and telecoms.
"Tim Ball is extremely knowledgeable. We trust his opinion, as it makes sense and it's elaborated. He points out where there is risk and opportunity."
"Tim Ball is an experienced practitioner."
"He is commercially aware."
Bernadette Versfeld is a respected lawyer in South Africa who runs a practice which covers trade mark prosecution and enforcement, as well as commercial IP. She is based in Johannesburg.
"Bernadette Versfeld provides excellent and relevant advice."
"She is extremely personable and clearly knows the law extremely well."
"She gives you confidence in her advice, is very clear and to the point."
Cape Town-based head of department Leanne Mostert operates a notable practice in this field, providing advice on IP commercialisation and the IP considerations of corporate transactions and restructuring. She has further experience in contentious mandates, including copyright infringement.
"Leanne Mostert provides consistently excellent guidance and deals elegantly with complex matters."