KISCH IP Celebrates World IP Day 2025
KISCH IP Celebrates World IP Day 2025 with the theme IP and music: Feel the beat of IP.
The “UGG”ly lesson – The Importance of Conducting Due Diligence.
The UGG brand has long been synonymous with comfort, style, and luxury in the world of footwear. Over the years, this simple yet innovative piece of footwear has garnered a loyal following and become a staple in wardrobes worldwide.
Explanation of Broadening the Tax Base and Strengthened Enforcement
In the context of the 2025 South African Budget, the concepts of broadening the tax base and enhanced enforcement represent essential strategies designed to boost government revenue without substantially increasing existing tax rates.
Future Beats: How AI and Smart Contracts are Remixing Music Royalties
Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day with the theme "IP and Music," the music industry is entering an exciting new era driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain-based smart contracts. These technologies are transforming royalty management, enhancing transparency, fairness, and creativity in unprecedented ways.
SHARED INNOVATION, SHARED RISKS: WHY JOINT IP OWNERSHIP ISN’T ALWAYS A SMART BUSINESS MOVE
Collaboration is integral to innovation. Whilst joint ownership arrangements can seem beneficial, promising mutual advantages and shared success; in South Africa, the notion of joint ownership in equal undivided shares requires careful consideration. This article explores the implications of joint ownership, highlighting potential problems and advocating for explicit agreements to mitigate risks.
The Power of a Trade Mark
In a bustling marketplace, trade marks serve as invaluable guardians of identity and reputation. A trade mark is a distinctive sign, design, or expression that identifies and differentiates the goods or services of one entity from those of its competitors. These symbols of brand identity are crucial for businesses seeking to establish a unique presence and build consumer trust.
Recent amendments to the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers reduce red tape for South African resident entities
Towards the end of 2024 the South African Reserve Bank (“SARB”) issued a final circular, which included some good news for South African resident entities. Most notably, South African resident entities no longer need prior approval from the Financial Surveillance Department to send royalties and fees to related parties outside of South Africa.
Budget Speech 2025: Commentary & Analysis
The 2025 Budget presented by South African Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, represents a pragmatic attempt to both steer the country through ongoing economic and fiscal challenges towards stability and growth, and balancing the political needs of the Government of National Unity whilst playing to the voting masses. Grounded in political realism, the budget outlines a carefully balanced strategy, placing equal emphasis on fiscal discipline, infrastructure development, social equity, and structural reform.
SA Competition Commission Investigates Insulin Pen Manufacturers
The South African Competition Commission has launched an investigation into insulin pen manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis. According to the Health Justice Initiative (HJI), the probe aims to determine whether multiple device patents and proprietary designs for insulin pens and cartridges are being used to stifle competition and block alternative suppliers from entering the market.
South Africa’s Proposed VAT Increase: A Fiscal Necessity or an Economic Catastrophe?
With South Africa facing persistent fiscal deficits, sluggish economic growth, and increasing pressure to fund social programmes, the government is reportedly considering a 2% increase in the VAT rate, from 15% to 17%. Proponents argue that such a measure could raise much-needed revenue, while critics warn of severe economic repercussions.