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.
