South Africa Case Law

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited v Impala Warehousing And Logistics Africa (Proprietary) Limited and Another (2013/22608)

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited v Impala Warehousing And Logistics Africa (Proprietary) Limited and Another (2013/22608) [2014] ZAGPJHC 410; 2014 BIP 349 (GJ) (11 December 2014)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

2013/22608

Judge

L J van Tonder

The High Court held that Implats failed to prove trade mark infringement or passing-off against a logistics business, and in part granted expungement of overbroad registrations.

• Trade Mark Infringement
• Expungement Of Trade Mark
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Passing Off
• Nice Classification
• Bona Fide Use

La Chemise Lacoste v Rong Tai Trading CC (36037/2003)

La Chemise Lacoste v Rong Tai Trading CC (36037/2003) [2007] ZAGPHC 27; 2007 BIP 175 (T) (13 April 2007)

Court

High Courts - Gauteng

Case number

36037/2003

Judge

Ebersohn

The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove that the defendant's use of the word 'Crocodile' on belts infringed its registered trade marks. The evidence established that the relevant public associates the Lacoste brand with a specific crocodile device, not merely the word 'crocodile'. The defendant's belts, bearing only the word 'Crocodile', are visually, aurally, and conceptually distinct from the plaintiff's device marks. The plaintiff does not have a monopoly over the concept or word 'crocodile', and there was no likelihood of deception or confusion among the average purchaser. The…

Source excerpt

• Trade Mark Infringement
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Conceptual Similarity
• Device Vs Word Mark
• Nice Classification
• Damages

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft v Commercial Autoglass (Pty) Ltd (5889/2005)

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft v Commercial Autoglass (Pty) Ltd (5889/2005) [2006] ZAGPHC 125; 2006 BIP 144 (T) (17 March 2006)

Court

High Courts - Gauteng

Case number

5889/2005

Judge

Prinsloo

The High Court held that BMW’s registered and well-known marks were infringed by unauthorised use in advertising and labelling of windscreens for BMW vehicles.

• Trade Mark Infringement
• Passing Off
• Well Known Marks
• Bona Fide Use Defence
• Nice Classification
• Advertising And Labelling