Ever since its creation, Spoor & Fisher has always had an active interest in the African continent. By the mid-1970's, the African section of the practice (that is to say Africa excluding South Africa and its immediate neighbours) was showing such growth that the African work had become a section in its own right.
This led to the establishment of Spoor & Fisher Jersey in 1977 whose initial objective was to handle the ever increasing Africa practice more effectively.
The office is situated in Jersey, Channel Islands which is in the English Channel between England and France. Jersey is part of the British telecommunications and postal network, and has excellent and direct communications with all African countries and, of course, with other countries around the world.
In the years since the office opened, the Africa practice has experienced enormous expansion, and from its initial complement of two, Spoor & Fisher Jersey now has a total complement of over 60 (sixty); including five resident directors.
Spoor & Fisher Jersey's main area of activity is the filing and maintenance of patents and trade marks across the African continent (apart from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland which can best be handled by our South African Offices), the Caribbean and the Middle East.
In addition, there has been significant growth in litigious matters in Africa. Indeed there are over 800 active contentious matters (oppositions, infringements etc.) on our files at any one time.
Spoor & Fisher Jersey is increasingly involved in matters in the Caribbean and the Middle East, and has built up a substantial measure of expertise in what might be regarded as small and awkward jurisdicitions in all parts of the world. The computerised patent renewals of the firm as a whole are also handled out of Jersey.
Where possible Spoor & Fisher Jersey deals directly with local Trade Mark and Patent Registries. However, it also has offices, an extensive network of local employees, and other contacts and associates spread across the continent.
With its years of practical experience and an extensive network across the continent, Spoor & Fisher Jersey is ideally placed to assist both local and overseas clients in securing trade mark and patent protection throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
