We do Competition Law

Whilst leading law firm Adams & Adams has always advised on competition law related matters, as the importance of this field of expertise has become commercially more relevant, the Competition Law Group was established in 2009.

The group centralises competition law expertise in the firm and provides professional advice, not only on competition law, but on the interface between competition law and intellectual property.  It advises on issues around, for example, prohibited practices, mergers and acquisitions, exemption applications and the interface between intellectual property and competition law.

Protecting your ideas in Africa

Africa is becoming an increasingly attractive market for products and services both from a South African and a broader perspective. With increased opportunities comes increased risk, however, and this risk must be managed when you decide how to protect your intellectual property in the region.

Intellectual property (IP) is territorial in nature. That means it is necessary to take steps to protect your IP in countries that may possibly fall outside your immediate sphere of business to ensure that your rights are protected in future should you decide to enter regional markets down the line.

Commercial law division turns two!

The commercial law division which forms part of the Commercial, Property and Litigation Department, is turning two.

The department is headed up by partner André Visser, who has been practising for almost 20 years. He has extensive commercial law experience, particularly in project finance, mergers, acquisitions, corporate law, information technology, and exchange control and tax law. Visser holds BComm and LLB degrees from the University of Pretoria, with post-graduate qualifications in HDip Tax and HDip International Tax from the University of Johannesburg (formerly RAU).

Competition law increasingly relevant

The Competition Commission is celebrating its 10-year anniversary later this year. It has reason to celebrate as there is consensus that the commission has ensured that the Competition Act (“the Act”) has become a central point in the South African commercial landscape. A number of high-profile cases have enjoyed prominence in the media and the commission is steadily increasing its enforcement capacity.

Compliance with the Act has steadily moved up on the agendas of board meetings as failure to do so could deliver a destructive blow to any company’s reputation and financial position. To read more on this topic see: Competition law breaches are a corporate governance risk.

Patent protection in Africa and surrounding islands

The following list is a guide to the patent protection available in each country. Download pdf