Top 10 South African trademark firms
1. Best value trademark firm
Sibanda & Zantwijk is the most affordable trademark firm, offering the same trademark pricing to both South African and foreign clients.
Instead of charging for each step of the trademark process (filing, acceptance, publication and issuance of the certificate), S&Z charges a fixed price for the entire process (filing to issuance of the certificate). Additional costs are only incurred where a trademark application is opposed or objected to by the Patent Office.
S&Z also offers:
- SANi trademarks, which combines a South African trademark and a Nigerian trademark; and
- lowest-cost trademark renewals.
S&Z’s trademark practice is headed by an experienced trademark attorney, Taya Lombard.
2. Best firms for trademark litigation
Adams & Adams is well known for trademark litigation. Ron Wheeldon of Wheeldon Attorneys is also known for his in-depth knowledge of trademark law.
Kyle Dalton (Moore Attorneys) and and Tanith El-alam (S&Z) have, over the past few years, become increasingly active in the South African trademark litigation scene.
3. Best online option for filing South African trademarks
The best online South African trademark filing option for South African applicants is TMDirect. This system is also used by many South African general law firms who wish to provide trademark services, supported by trademark professionals who deal with the South African Trademarks Office.
The best online South African trademark filing system for foreign applicants and law firms is the GlobalIPCo system. The GlobalIPCo system, which focusses on African patent and trademark filings, also offers SANi trademarks.
4. Best for trademark commercial and tax matters
For general trademark commercial matters, Adams & Adams and Spoor & Fisher have a reputable commercial team. Adams & Adams is particularly strong where a transaction involves competition law.
Anthony van Zantwijk of S&Z has been an expert witness on most South African trademark transfer pricing court cases. He also focusses on multi-national trademark transactions with tax and exchange control considerations.
5. Best for trademark franchising
Esmari Jonker of Smit & van Wyk Attorneys is very active in trademark franchising and has been recognised for her contributions to the franchising industry.
6. Best for advertising standards and consumer protection
Janusz Luterek of Hahn & Hahn is the go-to person where a trademark matter involves advertising standards and consumer protection considerations. Hahn & Hahn is very active in this area and represents many of South Africa’s large corporates.
7. Best for a broad-spectrem of trademark services
Gaelyn Scott of ENS Africa is supported by a team with a wide range of skills and experience, benefitting from being integrated in one of South Africa’s top general law firms.
Gaelyn is well respected by South African trademark attorneys and has been instrumental in growing the ENS trademark department.
8. Best for INTA connections
Barbara Berdou of Berdou Attorneys is an active INTA participant. She sits on various INTA committees and has, over time, created a significant INTA network. She is also a highly competent trademark attorney with an affable, client-focussed approach.
9. Best for creatives
Christiaan Steyn of Steyn IP actively supports South African arts and is a good choice for creatives. Christiaan spent time as a trademark examiner at CIPC, meaning that he understands their processes extremely well and has good relations with the CIPC personnel.
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