Trade mark parody in South Africa - the last laugh!

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Date
2007-12
Authors
Deacon, J.
Govender, I.
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Publisher
Faculty of Law, University of the Free State
Abstract
English: This article endeavours to find the balance (if any) in South African law between the rights of trade mark owners from infringement of their trade marks, and the constitutional right to free expression (with particular reference to parody) in a society that advocates the values of democracy and freedom. As intellectual property, registered trade marks deserve the protection of the law, a careful balancing act between property rights and fundamental freedoms must be performed to determine if one outweighs the other. In this regard Laugh It Off Promotions CC v South African Breweries International will be discussed. The position of parody in South African trade mark law desperately needs to have a last laugh, once and for all.
Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel poog om 'n balans te vind (indien enige) in die Suid-Afrikaanse reg tussen die regte van handelsmerk eienaars wie se handelsmerke geskend word aan die een kant en die grondwetlike reg tot vrye uitdrukking (met spesifieke verwysing na bespotting) in 'n gemeenskap wat die waardes van demokrasie en vryheid voorstaan. As intellektuele goedere, geniet geregistreerde handelsmerke beskerming deur die reg, 'n versigtige balans tussen eiendomsregte en fundamentele vryheid moet gehandhaaf word om te bepaal of die een swaarder as die ander een weeg. In hierdie verband sal Laugh It Off Promotions CC v South African Breweries International bespreek word. Wie laaste lag, sal die lekkerste lag! Bespotting van Suid-Afrikaanse handelsmerke het dringend vir eens en altyd 'n finale lag nodig.
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Citation
Deacon, J., & Govender, I. (2007). Trade mark parody in South Africa-the last laugh!. Journal for Juridical Science, 32(2), 18-46.