South Africa Case Law

Renian Distributors (Pty) Ltd v Crown Footwear (Pty) Ltd and Another (3898/2022)

Renian Distributors (Pty) Ltd v Crown Footwear (Pty) Ltd and Another (3898/2022) [2024] ZAKZDHC 4 (1 February 2024)

Court

Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Durban

Case number

3898/2022

Judge

Dutton AJ

The court found that Crown Footwear (Pty) Ltd has locus standi as an 'interested person' under section 27(1)(a) of the Trade Marks Act, as it is substantially affected by Renian's trade mark registrations and remains the owner of the domain name overlandsa.co.za. The evidence established that Renian did not have a bona fide intention to use its trade marks in relation to camping gear and accessories, and/or clothing, footwear and accessories, nor has it actually used the marks in these categories. The specification of Renian's trade marks was overbroad and commercially incoherent in relation…

Source excerpt

• Trade Marks Act
• Rectification Of Register
• Non Use Of Trade Mark
• Locus Standi
• Specification Limitation

Morris Material Handling Limited v Morris Material Handling SA (Pty) Ltd (829/2017)

Morris Material Handling Limited v Morris Material Handling SA (Pty) Ltd (829/2017) [2018] ZASCA 67; 2018 BIP 278 (SCA) (25 May 2018)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

829/2017

Judges

Maya, Majiedt, Wallis, Dambuza, Van der Merwe

The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against expungement proceedings, holding that the appellant failed to prove bona fide use of the MORRIS trade mark.

• Trade Mark Expungement
• Non Use Of Trade Mark
• Bona Fide Use
• Onus Of Proof
• Trade Mark Registration
• Trade-mark-expungement

South African Apartheid Museum at Freedom Park v Stainbank and Another (10152/08)

South African Apartheid Museum at Freedom Park v Stainbank and Another (10152/08) [2010] ZAGPJHC 143; 2010 BIP 148 (GSJ) (23 February 2010)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

10152/08

Judge

Willis

The High Court ordered expungement of the trade mark THE APARTHEID MUSEUM, finding non-use, lack of distinctiveness, and likely confusion.

• Trade Mark Expungement
• Non Use Of Trade Mark
• Distinctiveness Of Mark
• Likelihood Of Confusion
• Trade-mark-expungement
• Trade-mark-non-use

Mars Incorporated v Candy World (Pty) Ltd. (265/89)

Mars Incorporated v Candy World (Pty) Ltd. (265/89) [1990] ZASCA 149; 1991 (1) SA 567 (AD); [1991] 2 All SA 25 (A) (28 November 1990)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

265/89

Judges

Botha, Nestadt, Kumleben, Goldstone, Nicholas

The court held that a blocked defensive trade mark application can make an applicant a “person aggrieved” for expungement purposes under the Trade Marks Act.

• Trade Mark Expungement
• Defensive Registration
• Locus Standi
• Non Use Of Trade Mark
• Trade-mark-expungement
• Defensive-registration