Smit & Van Wyk

+27 (0) 12 349 7800

111 Persequor Park

enquiries@svw.co.za

www.svw.co.za

Association Agreements, Biotechnology, Competition Law, Contracts, Copyright, Designs and Copyrights, Franchising, Information Technology, Intellectual Property, IP Valuations, Litigation (Commercial), Litigation (Constitutional), Litigation (Corporate), Litigation (General), Litigation (High Court), Litigation (Magistrates Court), Media , Mining, Patents, Plant Breeder’s Rights, Publishing, Trademarks

20

9506

Sanlynn Office Park, East Block, 2nd Floor, c/o Alkantrand & Sanlam Street, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria

Gauteng / Pretoria

Lynnwood

PO Box 111, The Innovation Hub, Pretoria, 0087

Mossel bay: Casa Grande, C/O Tse Tsebe Aven and Impala Ave, Reebok, Mossel bay, Western Cape. This is a satellite office which we attend to at regular intervals for consultations and client contact sessions. Hours: With prior appointment only.

Premier, Exclusive Intellectual Property Protection Across Africa. Smit & Van Wyk is a leading, internationally recognized law firm dealing exclusively with Intellectual Property (IP) law in South Africa and across the African continent. Serving as a critical portal to Africa for multinational corporations, our team of highly qualified patent, trade mark, and copyright attorneys possesses the extensive knowledge and deep regulatory understanding required to safeguard your most valuable IP assets in any jurisdiction where protection is available.

Internationally Recognized Legal Excellence.
Smit & Van Wyk is consistently ranked among the top tier of global IP firms by prestigious international legal guides. Our extensive market recognition includes:

• Chambers Global & Legal 500: Consistently ranked for elite Intellectual Property and Patent services in South Africa.
• IAM Patent 1000 & Managing IP (MIP): Awarded Silver Rank for Patent Services and Tier 2 & 3 firm rankings, with multiple directors listed as recommended "IP Stars."
• WTR 1000 & Lexology: Recognized for top-tier trade mark prosecution, strategy, and winning the elite Client Choice Award for Franchise Law.
• Global Legal Media: Named among the "10 Most Well-Respected Law Firms" in South Africa by both The Patent Lawyer and The Trade Mark Lawyer magazines.

The Smit & Van Wyk Advantage: A Dedicated Gateway to Africa
What truly sets our firm apart is our vibrant, "can-do" legacy and our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex, time-consuming IP laws of the entire African continent. Our dedicated foreign department specializes in assisting overseas agents and applicants with the seamless filing and prosecution of cases in South Africa and most African countries. We act as specialized patent and trade mark agents across all regional IP organizations, including OAPI, ARIPO, and the Madrid Protocol. Whether we are filing South African applications into foreign markets or assisting international clients wishing to secure their rights in Africa, our dynamic, bespoke solutions are meticulously tailored to ensure your intellectual property is aggressively protected and fully commercially exploited.

Our Expertise & Legal Services
Benefit from our award-winning expertise and experience the best-in-class results we achieve across the following dedicated IP practice areas:

Patent Law: End-to-End Invention Protection
Every invention is unique. Our registered patent attorneys cover a vast range of technical disciplines. We protect cutting-edge innovations, from mechanical engineering and software developments driving the remote work revolution, to advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems. We also secure life sciences and pharmaceutical patents, which are increasingly critical in the evolving NHI (National Health Insurance) landscape. We provide comprehensive services covering drafting, PCT applications, maintenance, and prosecution across Africa.

Trade Mark Law: Securing Your Brand Identity
Your brand is your business. Our highly skilled trade mark attorneys and paralegals structure bespoke filing programs tailored to your specific commercial requirements. We handle all aspects of trade mark searches, registration, maintenance, and strategic enforcement.

IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Defending Your Rights
We provide aggressive litigation and strategic ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) to fiercely protect and enforce your patent, design, and trade mark rights against both local and cross-border infringement.

Industrial Designs: Protecting Functional Aesthetics
We safeguard the unique visual design of your products. Our attorneys assist with the local and international filing, registration, and maintenance of industrial designs to ensure your product's aesthetic value is completely protected from imitation.

Copyright Law: Safeguarding Creative Assets
We provide comprehensive copyright legal services to creators and corporations. Our attorneys assist with proactive protection strategies, the transfer of ownership, commercial arrangements related to exploitation, and decisive enforcement against unauthorized use.

Domain Names: Strategic Online Brand Defense
Your domain name forms the absolute basis of your online brand. We assist businesses in developing proactive, defensive domain name strategies to prevent competitors from registering confusingly similar URLs. We handle the registration, acquisition, and secure transfer of domain ownership, ensuring your brand is protected as you expand internationally.

Plant Breeders' Rights: Protecting Agricultural Innovation
We are uniquely positioned to assist clients in the agricultural sector with the highly specialized filing, prosecution, and enforcement of plant breeders’ rights, advising on the best long-term strategies for obtaining and maintaining these essential protections.

Franchising Law: Structuring Commercial Growth
Starting or buying a franchise is a complex legal process. Our award-winning franchise attorneys are well-versed in the strict legal requirements and regulatory frameworks needed to properly set up, document, and execute secure franchise agreements.

Ready to secure your intellectual property across Africa?
Contact Smit & Van Wyk today to schedule a consultation. Let our award-winning team assess your IP portfolio and develop a dynamic, tailored strategy to protect your rights and achieve your long-term business goals.

Patents, Trademarks, Designs, Copyright and Franchising.

Office Hours
Mondays to Fridays: 08:00 – 16:30
Weekends: Closed

Wessel van Wyk, Chantal Hoffelner

Wessel van Wyk