BUSINESS BRIEF: SOUTH AFRICA


marks are renewed every 10 years and that the details recorded on the register of trademarks are updated whenever changes take place.


Trademark owners should also ensure that the specific manner in which they are using their trademarks is correct and that they are not through their own doing causing their mark to lose its distinctiveness. Also, where trademark owners become aware of a third party using their protected mark in a generic manner, they must object.


Have there been any changes to the trade mark laws in the last 12 months?


Draft legislation introducing the concept of “traditional knowledge” into the Trade Marks Act has been approved by Parliament, but is not yet in force.


Copyright


What are the key challenges to copyright holders in your jurisdiction? Copyright owners bear the onus of proving subsistence of copyright in protectable works. It frequently happens that infringement takes place without the owner’s knowledge. Having knowledge of infringement is naturally important in that steps to remedy it can generally be taken only if the copyright owner is aware. It is notoriously easy to infringe copyright and South Africa is no exception.


How should people ensure they are protected against copyright infringement?


No formalities exist for the acquisition of copyright. Protection will subsist automatically in the event that the owner fulfils certain basic requirements. It is important for the copyright owner to be proactive in frequently conducting investigations to identify possible infringements. It is advisable to conduct awareness campaigns on copyright in the work that prohibit, for example, the unauthorised reproduction of


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content. As a start, one can apply the universal copyright symbol (©) to a work.


What is the best way to deal with infringement, and what are the costs associated with it?


In most cases, a formal cease and desist letter must be sent to the alleged infringer. In the absence of a favourable response or an outright rejection of the copyright owner’s demands, the only alternative is to seek appropriate relief from the High Court, eg, an interdict. Copyright litigation is generally technical and expensive.


Have there been any changes to the copyright laws in the last 12 months?


Draſt legislation introducing the concept of “traditional knowledge” into the Copyright Act has been approved by Parliament, but is not yet in force.


Counterfeiting


How big a problem is counterfeiting in your jurisdiction? Counterfeit goods have become a major cause for concern and threat to the South African economy as well as to IP holders. Te prevalence of counterfeit goods in the South African market has been on the increase in recent years and the demand for such goods has been further fueled by the recent recession.


What industries are particularly at threat? When one hears of the term “counterfeit goods”, certain goods automatically come to mind, namely clothing, footwear, eyewear and optical discs. However, counterfeiting is not a problem that is limited to a particular class or type of goods. Anything from motor parts, medicines, cosmetics, clothing, footwear and perfumes, to food items can be, and is being, illegally manufactured and sold.


What are the best strategies for dealing with the problem?


It is unrealistic to expect customs to seize all counterfeit goods that enter South Africa. Spoor &


World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2012 139


Fisher’s anti-counterfeiting team regularly conducts search and seizure operations in the market place. As a strategy, we focus on warehousing and storage facilities as primary targets.


Christel Wolmarans is a partner at Spoor & Fisher. She can be contacted at: c.wolmarans@spoor.com


Herman Blignaut is a partner at Spoor & Fisher. He can be contacted at: h.blignaut@spoor.com


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