The firm's Intellectual Property Practice (IPP) forms part of the Corporate Services Department and deals with all aspects of Intellectual Property, offering a premier level of service based on skill, commitment and expertise. The IPP specialises in Intellectual Property matters in South Africa and throughout Africa continent, as well as elsewhere in the world.

The IPP renders a full range of services relating to Intellectual Property covering:

• Trade Marks;
• Copyright;
• Registered Designs;
• Patents (including searching, filing, prosecuting, enforcement and assignment);
• Domain Name Registration;
• Company Name Registration;
• Technology, Franchising and Licensing Agreements;
• Anti-Counterfeiting;
• E-commerce;
• Internet Law;
• Database Rights;
• Intellectual Property Valuations;
• Due Diligence and Audits;
• Intellectual Property Litigation;
• Tax advice relating to Intellectual Property; and
• Defamation.

The firm does not presently employ the services of a full time patent attorney, nevertheless we are able to offer basic advice on patent protection and maintain close links with three of South Africa's most experienced and highly respected patent attorneys, who act as consultants to the IPPG.

Clients

The Intellectual Property Practice has the following companies among its clients:

• ABSA Bank Limited (trading as ABSA Corporate and Merchant Bank);
• JSE Limited;
• First National Bank;
• The Hollard Insurance Company Limited; and
• Futurebank Corporate Limited.

Please also see the section on Intellectual Property Law and Franchising in Investing in South Africa.