Intellectual Property

Like any other tangible asset, Intellectual Property such as trade marks, copyright, patents, designs and know-how can represent a significant portion of the assets of a business - and intellectual property can play a major role in commercial success.

In Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's intellectual property practice we understand the commercial issues associated with protecting your IP interests and specialise in offering commercially based solutions to ensure that the best is made of those rights.

We offer advice on all IP matters; on IP disputes; portfolio management and audits; commercial transactions involving IP; and due diligence investigations.

Areas of specialisation include:

• Intellectual Property agreements
  We are widely experienced in all forms of IP related agreements and IP aspects of general agreements such as: all licensing agreements, including trade marks and copyright; drafting and recording Registered User agreements; merchandising and distribution agreements; protecting trade secrets, know-how and confidential information; Assignment of pending, registered or common law trade marks and copyright; and drafting Deeds of Hypothecation in respect of trade marks, patents and designs to secure a debt and recording such hypothecation at the relevant Registry.

• Enforcement and Protection
  Rights often need to be enforced in relation to these valuable assets, whether they are patents, trade marks, domain names, confidential information, designs or copyright. Our IP dispute resolution professionals are experts in conducting all types of IP disputes including: trade mark and copyright infringements; passing off and unlawful competition; advertising standards complaints; domain name objections; oppositions to trade mark applications; company name objections at the Registrar of Companies.

• Trade Marks
  We can help clients in South Africa and in any foreign jurisdiction conduct trade mark searches and advise on availability and registrability; file applications and prosecute them to registration; monitor and manage renewals; and audit and manage your trade mark portfolio.