Study IP Law

Innovative, trailblazing new programmes offer IP Law modules to law and non-law students! The Faculty is proud to introduce the first law programme at SU specifically aimed at non-law graduates and practitioners as well as the only Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property accredited by the Department of Education as a specialised LLM in IP […]

New Intellectual Property Law

New Intellectual Property Law

Innovation, creativity, novelty, ingenuity – the foundations of Intellectual Property (IP) Law is, simply put, the protection of the inventive spark as expressed by its maker. This sweat-of-the-brow approach to IP law is often cited as the rationale for the continued expansion of traditional IP protection measures to new forms of expression.

Novel Patents and Designs

Novel Patents and Designs

The practice of granting a monopoly over the production and distribution of an invention, or its fundamental idea, is the exclusive field of the law of patents. Across the scope of intellectual property law, patent protection is the only form that approaches the protection of pure ideas or concepts while other forms of IP law protect the expression of ideas in various forms.

Digital IP

Exclusivity is the calling card of intellectual property law and the primary driver for the continued expansion of IP protection to new types of work, modern technologies and revolutionary expressions of human intellectual activity. On the other hand, Internet-based technology is driven by the central concepts of free access, peer exchange and rapid reproduction.

Original Copyright

Original Copyright

Originally drafted to allow the English Crown to profit from the reproduction of books, modern copyright law has become a complex, dynamic, liberal and indispensible mechanism for the protection and commercial exploitation of all types of personal expression.

Distinctive Trademarks

Distinctive Trademarks

A word, device, symbol or sign that is distinctive, descriptive and/or recognisable by the consumer as an indication of the product’s origin. For this reason Trademark Law is concerned with establishing the most fair, effective, transparent and obvious system for the marketing of goods or services when conducted with the aid of the manufacturer’s insignia (or other recognisable identifying element).

“The Development Chair of Intellectual Property Law at Stellenbosch University”

The custodian of IP in South Africa

RESEARCH

PROMOTE

PROTECT

Our first core function is to produce the highest level of academic research output in all areas of Intellectual Property (IP) Law, and to serve the University in this capacity. To this end the Chair has introduced two unique post-graduate programmes in IP Law to offer the highest level of IP legal tuition possible, stimulate the volume of academic research in these fields and widen access to legal eduction in this field. The introduction of the LLM (IP Law) and the PGDip (IP Law) is a first for a South African University and has established Stellenbosch University as the leading tertiary institute in Africa at the highest level of academic excellence in IP legal research and tuition. Both programmes have received the highest level of accreditation from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Our second core function is the promotion of South African Intellectual Property (IP) both locally and abroad. It is without doubt that South African legal development has neglected the field of Intellectual Property Law and, therefore, one of the goals of the Chair is to ensure our laws are brought in step with International Intellectual Property Law. To this end, the Chair offers its assistance to Government to help draft and pass the necessary legislation, and to advise against the introduction of unfounded statutes or impracticable law. Stellenbosch University places its proven research and academic expertise at the service of society and, by way of the Chair, new knowledge will be created and made available for the benefit of society.

Our third core function is the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights at Stellenbosch University as well as the rigorous protection of Intellectual Property Law itself against unsound legal developments or practice trends that flow from underdeveloped doctrine, political motivation or careless legal harmonisation. Through its close ties with the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Intellectual Property, the Chair endeavors to steer the development of IP Law toward reclaiming its rightful place in Global Intellectual Property Law. Therefore, the Chair has undertaken the duty to safeguard local IP law while advocating appropriate measures for reform that is supported by foreign and international law.

Recent Posts:

Events IPStell IP Public Lecture 2024 – Player IP: Show Me the Money! By ipchair / Oct 10, 2024 THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED Watch the video of the lecture below. The 2024 annual intellectual property law public lecture,... Read More Events IPStell Sports Law Conference 2024 By ipchair / Oct 10, 2024 THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED Watch the videos of the conference below. The Sports Law Conference was organised by the Chair, Prof... Read More Events IPStell IP Public Lecture 2023 – Gin and Tonic Anyone? Similar or Not? By ipchair / Oct 23, 2023 THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED Watch the video of the lecture below. The 2022 annual intellectual property law public lecture,... Read More Copyright IPStell Rationale of copyright exceptions* By ipchair / Apr 26, 2023 NATURE OF COPYRIGHT Copyright is a body of law that provides creators of written and other works with the power... Read More Copyright IPStell Written submissions on Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill By ipchair / Feb 1, 2023 Following its comprehensive review and comments submitted on the various versions of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection... Read More Copyright IPStell Written submissions on Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill – Western Cape By ipchair / Feb 1, 2023 Following its comprehensive review and comments submitted on the various versions of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection... Read More Copyright IPStell Owen Dean’s Amicus Curiae Founding Affidavit in the Blind SA matter By ipchair / Jan 24, 2023 Here is the downloadable version of Prof Owen Dean's amicus curiae founding affidavit in the matter of Blind SA v... Read More IPStell Traditional Knowledge Written comments and representations on the draft Regulations relating to the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge By ipchair / Jan 20, 2023 The Chair has made written comments and representations on the draft Regulations relating to the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management... Read More Copyright IPStell Confessions of a Struggling Author By ipchair / Dec 6, 2022 I am a struggling author. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t struggle to put the proverbial pen to paper. On... Read More Copyright IPStell Copyright Exemptions Unpacked By ipchair / Oct 24, 2022 A basic primer on the fair dealing exemptions in copyright law, composed by Professor Owen Dean, now available for download... Read More

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