KISCH IP

The Intellectual Property partner of choice across Africa.

27/08/2026

The rules governing trade mark protection in China are set to change significantly.

With effect from 1 January 2027, China's revised Trade Mark Law will introduce significant changes to trade mark registration, opposition proceedings, enforcement and the regulation of bad-faith filings. The new law places greater emphasis on genuine trade mark use, shortens the opposition period and strengthens protections for rights holders.

Businesses with trade mark interests in China should consider reviewing their filing, watching and enforcement arrangements ahead of implementation. Click on the link below to read the latest edition of the KISCH IP Newsflash newsletter.

https://www.kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/518/NEWSFLASH-China-Adopts-Comprehensive-Revision-of-its-Trade-Mark-Law

24/08/2026

Great inventions are rarely the result of inspiration alone.

Lasting innovation is built through continuous learning, persistence, strategic thinking, and effective intellectual property protection. For inventors, the challenge is not only developing an innovative solution, but ensuring it is protected, refined, and successfully commercialised.

In her latest article, Ella Cebisa reflects on the timeless lessons modern inventors can learn from Thomas Edison, one of KISCH IP's early patent clients.

Read the full article on our website here: https://kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/516/TIMELESS-LESSONS-MODERN-INVENTORS-CAN-LEARN-FROM-ONE-OF-KISCH-IPS-EARLY-PATENT-CLIENTS

21/08/2026

A small counterfeit problem can be a sign of something much bigger.

A limited seizure may point to wider supply networks, repeated distribution and growing reputational risk. The challenge for brand owners is knowing when an incident can be contained and when it warrants a broader response.

In his latest article, Hashiem Logday considers the commercial cost of inaction and the factors that should inform an effective anti-counterfeiting strategy.

Read the full article on our website, here:
https://www.kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/514/A-SMALL-COUNTERFEIT-PROBLEM-MAY-BE-BIGGER-THAN-IT-LOOKS

18/08/2026

We are looking forward to attending the Smart Seeds & Fertiliser Innovation Forum, where some of the most important conversations shaping the future of African agriculture will take place. As innovation in plant breeding, seed technology, biologicals, and precision agriculture continues to advance, robust intellectual property frameworks remain critical to encouraging investment, commercialisation, and long-term growth in the sector.

Our Director, Fredo Ströh, will be speaking on the new Plant Breeders' Rights Act and its implications for the industry, exploring what the legislative developments mean for breeders, seed companies, innovators, and other stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. At KISCH IP, we are proud to partner with innovators in protecting and maximising the value of their intellectual property, helping transform innovation into commercial success.

We look forward to engaging with industry leaders, researchers, regulators, and agribusinesses on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of agriculture.

09/08/2026

Happy Women's Day!

Today, we celebrate our incredible women and the invaluable contributions they make every day. Thank you for inspiring progress, innovation and positive change.

04/08/2026

We are honoured to celebrate the remarkable women who continue to shape academia and society through their leadership, innovation and impact.

KISCH IP is proud to support Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF), a programme that is developing the next generation of female academic leaders while advancing conversations around intellectual property, technology transfer and research commercialisation.

Together, we can help transform research into innovation and innovation into impact.

31/07/2026

We are looking forward to presenting SARIMA’s Course on Know-how as Intellectual Property. Patent Attorney & Director, Ursula Baravalle, Patent Attorney & Senior Associate, Tim Laurens, and Patent Candidate Attorney, Ella Linganiso-Dziike, will explore how Technology Transfer Offices and Institutions can identify, protect and commercialise valuable know-how, often one of the most overlooked assets in the innovation lifecycle.

Our team will challenge to steer away from simply asking: ‘Can this be patented?’ to rather ask: What knowledge has this research project created and how do we capture, protect and transfer that knowledge to maximise impact?”

We look forward to engaging with technology transfer and innovation management practitioners on turning knowledge into impact.

15/07/2026

How far can brands go before inspiration becomes imitation?

The latest dispute between 7-Eleven and Nike is a timely reminder that brand protection extends far beyond logos and names. At the heart of the matter is whether a distinctive combination of colours and trade dress has become so synonymous with a brand that its use by another party could create consumer confusion.

As businesses invest heavily in building brand recognition, courts are increasingly being asked to determine where the boundaries lie between creative inspiration and the misappropriation of valuable brand equity.

In this article, Liani Taljaard and Sarah Suleman explore the legal principles underpinning this high-profile trade mark dispute and the broader implications for brand owners seeking to protect their distinctive identity in competitive markets. Read the full article:

https://www.kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/509/CLASH-OF-THE-BRAND-GIANTS-7ELEVEN-VS-NIKE

13/07/2026

Your logo may be one of your business’s most valuable assets. But do you actually own it?

Many businesses assume that paying for a logo means acquiring all the rights associated with it. In reality, copyright ownership does not always automatically transfer to the person or company that commissioned the work.

In this article, Senior Associate, Shaawn Phooko explores a common misunderstanding that can have significant commercial consequences for brand owners. Understanding who owns the rights to a logo is essential for protecting, enforcing and fully commercialising your brand.

Read the article here: https://www.kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/506/Who-owns-your-logo-The-answer-might-surprise-you

10/07/2026

South Africa’s non-proliferation framework is often discussed as a national security issue. For innovators and research-intensive organisations, it also has practical implications for patent filing, technology transfer, licensing, exports and commercialisation.

With the chemical controls notice due for scheduled review and amendment, Candidate Patent Attorney, Ella Linganiso-Dziike, considers what innovators, universities, research institutions, technology transfer offices and patent applicants should keep in view when developing, protecting and commercialising technologies that may fall within controlled categories.

Read the full article on the KISCH IP website: https://www.kisch-ip.com/Articles/Read/505/South-Africas-Evolving-NonProliferation-Framework-Implications-for-Innovation-Intellectual-Property-and-Commercialisation
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