Spoor & Fisher - Intellectual Property law specialists Patents, trade marks, copyright, design, domain names, South Africa and Africa

Sao Tome and Principe joins PCT

Craig Kahn

Sao Tome and Principe (ST) became the 139th PCT Contracting State on 3 April 2008. The PCT will enter into force for Sao Tome and Principe

15/04/2008

South African SCA unimpressed by lack of inventiveness

Hugh Moubray

The South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) recently handed down two decisions in a row invalidating patents for lack of inventiveness.

10/04/2008

Bio-Prospecting within South Africa: Indigenous Biological Resources and Traditional Knowledge

Sandra Clelland & Joanne van Harmelen

The enormous economic benefit that may be obtained from the exploitation of biological resources has lead to international conventions and

17/03/2008

UK Patent Office will now allow patents for "computer program products"

Chris de Villiers

Until recently, the UK Intellectual Property Office has had a policy of refusing patent applications with claims directed to a computer program

12/02/2008

Fast Track Patent Applications in the US and internationally

Omphile Modibela

Anyone who in recent years has filed a patent application in the United States of America (or other countries that examine the patentability of inventions

8/02/2008

The London Agreement Lowers Patent Translation Costs in Europe

John McKnight

In 1977 the European Patent Convention (EPC) came into force and established the European Patent Office (EPO), the function of which is to

8/02/2008

Bio-Prospecting and the South African Patents Act – Amendments Now in Place to Protect Indigenous Biological and Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge

Dave Cochrane

As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), South Africa introduced the South African Biodiversity Act in 2004 in order to comply

24/01/2008

Technology Innovation Agency Bill now Open for submissions

Joanne van Harmelen

The Technology Innovation Agency Bill was published in Government Gazette as Bill 49-2007 (hereinafter referred to as “the Bill”). It is now open

11/12/2007

Cheaper European Patent Protection in the Pipeline

Keith Brown

In terms of current European patent practice a person wishing to obtain patent protection simultaneously in several European countries will follow a multi-stage

14/11/2007

ARIPO Board of Appeal Issues First Patent Decision

Craig Kahn

ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization) is a regional patent filing system in Africa. It is similar to the regional patent filing system in Europe,

19/10/2007

Angola joins PCT

Craig Kahn

Angola (AO) became the 138th PCT Contracting State on 27 September 2007. The PCT will enter into force for Angola on 27 December 2007 and

5/10/2007

Software Patents May Well Be Valid

Chris de Villiers

Recently, a number of articles have appeared in the media on the subject of so-called software patents. While some commentators are

15/02/2007

Patenting Computer Software - Related and Business Method Inventions; Background to Patents

Patent Law is a branch of what is commonly known as Intellectual Property Law. In terms of Patent Law, the State rewards an inventor for

26/02/2007

The Folly of Legislating Against Software Patents

This article was first published in the December/January 2005 edition of Intellectual Asset Management and is published here with permission...

1/02/2005

Patent "Obviousness" and Related Matters - Breaking New Ground

In this article, the writer comments on a recent judgment in the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa handed down on 21 September 1998 [as yet unreported]...

Patenting of Computer Software

Chris de Villiers

Everyone knows that you cannot patent computer software. Right ? Wrong ! The South African Patents Act of 1978 contains essentially the same

1/06/2001

Audio Transcription of Interview on Classic FM on 18 September 2006 ; Patents

Keith Brown

TONY BLEWITT: Once again on Classic Breakfast we’re talking intellectual property in actual fact we’re talking patents today. My guest on the phone

18/09/2006

Audio Transcription of Interview on Classic FM on 3 July 2006; Nanotechnology

Lance Abramson

TONY BLEWITT: Once again on Classic breakfast we talking intellectual property, with the guys from Spoor & Fisher and in the studio Lance Abramson

3/07/2006

Audio Transcription of Interview on Classic FM on 17 July 2006; Patenting Computer Software

Lance Abramson

TONY BLEWITT: Once again the topic is intellectual property with the people from Spoor & Fisher and in the studio, Lance Abramson. And Lance, welcome once again.

17/07/2006

Audio Transcription of Interview on Classic FM on 26 June 2006; What are Patents?

Lance Abramson

Once again on Classic breakfast we are talking intellectual property. In actual fact we are talking patents today. My guest in the studio is . . .

26/06/2006

Biodiversity in South Africa

David Cochrane & Sandra Clelland

Persons carrying out research on indigenous biological resources and bioprospecting projects in South Africa need to consider the effects and

1/02/2006

Spoor and Fisher’s Nanotechnology Patent Team

With a South African government focus on nanotechnology, it would indeed be a pity if the advances made by South African innovators in this

1/03/2006

Is Apple Heading for an iPod Patent Tussle?

Andre Meyer

This is the question after Singapore-based Creative Technology (Creative) recently held a press conference to announce that it had been

1/10/2005

Protection for Indigenous Biological and Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge in Patent Bill

Anthony Hooper

In March 2004 we reported the publication of a Bill intended to ensure that indigenous peoples are adequately compensated when an invention which

1/06/2005

Circular No. 357: Industrial Property Developments in Africa and Surrounding Islands

Mac Spence

Eritrea - Trade mark protection by cautionary notices The Government of Eritrea, which for some years would not accept cautionary

1/10/2002

Nigeria Joins the PCT

Nigeria became a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on 8 May 2005. Theoretically, it should now be possible to obtain patent protection in Nigeria based on an International patent application designating Nigeria filed on or after 8 May

1/05/2005

Circular No. 368: Mauritius - Patents, Industrial Designs and Trade Marks Regulations 2004 - The Protection Against Unfair Practices (Industrial Property Rights) Regulations 2004

In our Circulars Nos. 356 and 358, we reported the enactment of the Patent, Industrial Designs and Trademarks Act 2002, and The Protection Against

1/05/2004

Traditional Knowledge and Genetic and Biological Resources Get a Patent Boost

Anthony Hooper

A Bill has recently been published which seeks to ensure that indigenous peoples are adequately compensated when an invention which is

1/03/2004

Namibia Joins PCT, Paris Convention and ARIPO

Heather Donald

Namibia is the 123rd Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) contracting state and became bound by the PCT on 1 January 2004. Consequently it

21/01/2004

Prices of Pharmaceuticals to the South African Public - Will They Drop?

Anthony Hooper

We have reported previously on Section 15 C of the Medicines and Related Substances Act No. 101 of 1965 which allows the Health Minister to prescribe

1/01/2004

Patent and Design Law Developments in Africa

Heather Donald

Angola recently approved its adhesion to the Paris Convention and PCT. This resolution was advertised in the Angola official gazette of 6 June 2003

11/12/2003

Circular No. 366: All ARIPO Member States to be Members of the PCT

ARIPO (African Regional Industrial Property Organisation) provides inter alia a regional patent filing system in Africa. Botswana has been a

1/09/2003

Namibia to Join PCT and Paris Convention

Heather Donald

Namibia is the 123rd Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) contracting state and will become bound by the PCT on 1 January 2004

8/12/2003

Egypt Joined PCT on 6 September 2003

Heather Donald

Egypt is the 121st Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) contracting state and became bound by the PCT on 6 September 2003

1/09/2003

Botswana Joined PCT on 30 October 2003

Heather Donald

Botswana is the 122nd Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) contracting state and became bound by the PCT on 30 October 2003. Consequently

4/08/2003

PCT Chapter I Deadline in South Africa now 31 Months

The South African Patent Regulations were amended on 23 April 2003 to provide that the Chapter I

1/05/2003

Circular No 364: Patent and Design Renewals Being Transferred to SpoorData

As clients will already be aware, Spoor & Fisher have invested in a new IP management system based on Maxim´s InProma technology, which we call

1/05/2003

Circular No 363: International (PCT) Applications - Deadline for Entering the National Phase in South Africa

In our Circular No. 361 we reported that we were waiting for our authorities to amend our Patent Regulations to bring the Chapter I deadline

1/05/2003

Increase in OAPI Fees for Specifications Exceeding 10 Pages

Heather Donald

In addition to an increase in the OAPI official fees on 1 March 2003, we have received notification that the recently appointed Head of

15/04/2003

Update: Parallel Importation and Generic Substitution of Drugs

Anthony Hooper

In 2001 a high profile case in South Africa by international pharmaceutical companies against the implementation of provisions governing

1/02/2003

Circular No. 361: Amendments to the South African Patents Act

The South African Patents Act No. 57 of 1978 has recently been amended by the Patents Amendment Act No. 58 of 2002, which was assented

1/04/2003

Circular No. 359: Renewals Judgment Overturned

In May 2002, in our Circular No. 352, we reported that in the case of Kaltenbach Thuring Sociéte Anonyme v Grande Paroisse Sociéte Anonyme and the Registrar of Patents, the Commissioner of Patents held that the payment of a patent renewal fee within

1/01/2003

New Amendments to the Patents Act

The South African Patents Act No 57 of 1978 has recently been amended by the Patents Amendment Act No 58 of 2002, which was assented to by the

29/01/2003

Seychelles Joins the PCT

Heather Donald

Seychelles is the 117th Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) contracting state and became bound by the PCT on . . .

1/11/2002

Access to Patented Technology for Developing Countries

David Cochrane

The following is a copy of a presentation given by David Cochrane at the IBA Conference in Durban, South Africa, in October 2002

1/11/2002

Patent Articles