Trade Mark Prosecution

The Trade Marks Act, 1993 (as amended) governs the South African trade mark registration system. Distinctive signs of all kinds and descriptions which are capable of graphical representation are registrable as trade marks. The forty two classes of goods and services of the International Classification is followed. The statute is generally compatible with the European Directive concerning trade marks and affords protection against unauthorised use of both identical and confusingly similar marks in relation to the goods or services in respect of which a mark is registered and in respect of similar or dissimilar goods or services in defined circumstances.