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Companies and close corporations
Companies and close corporations

The sole proprietorship is usually suitable for a relatively small enterprise in which the capital of only one person, the proprietor, is invested.  In a partnership, two or more partners pool their ability and capital to increase the available business and human capital. 

Audit due diligence and valuations
Audit due diligence and valuations

The capital of a successful business enterprise is generally composed
of working capital, fixed assets and intellectual capital.  This is a
combination of assets used by successful companies for expanding
their participation in industry and for maximising their profits.

What can be protected by design registration?
What can be protected by design registration?

Intellectual property, although intangible, is a valuable asset on the balance sheet of any business - in many cases exceeding in actual marketable value the fixed property of the business. 

Focus on patents - April 2003
Focus on patents - April 2003

A bolar-type provision has been incorporated in the South African Patents Act, 1978 as a new section 69A.

Focus on Adams & Adams - April 2003
Focus on Adams & Adams - April 2003

Adams & Adams has been top-rated for the last few years, both nationally and internationally. The firm did it again in surveys conducted during 2002.

South African Breweries International B.V. t/a SABMARK International v. Laugh It Off Promotions
South African Breweries International B.V. t/a SABMARK International v. Laugh It Off Promotions

The applicant is a company registered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and trades in and controls the trade in a large range of products, largely alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The respondent is a close corporation and offers for sale T-shirts bearing marks which are similar to a number of well-known trade marks, including those of the applicant. It does so through advertising on the internet.

Grey goods: what are they and can they be imported legally? – August 2002
Grey goods: what are they and can they be imported legally? – August 2002

News items on legal topics in the areas of intellectual property and trade frequently refer to the importation of “grey goods”.

Competition legislation and intellectual property rights – August 2002
Competition legislation and intellectual property rights – August 2002

South Africa was given a new competition regime when the major part of the Competition Act no. 89 of 1998 was put into effect on 1 September 1999. Modelled on the British and Canadian laws, the Act applies to all economic activity within South Africa, including economic activity involving intellectual property rights.

Intellectual property rights vis-à-vis competition law principles – February 2002
Intellectual property rights vis-à-vis competition law principles – February 2002

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) in South Africa, as in most other countries, are regulated by statutes, such as the Patents Act, 1978; the Trade Marks Act, 1993; the Copyright Act, 1978; the Designs Act, 1993. 

Ambush marketing to be prohibited
Ambush marketing to be prohibited

Two recent legislative amendments introduced measures to prohibit ambush marketing, ie. international conduct on the part of a person or company to obtain an unjustified promotional benefit from a sponsored event, such as sponsored sports or cultural events or other recreational activities.