Copyright protection, the protection of corporate confidential information through confidential and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Our mainstay services relate to the provision of legal services pertaining to intellectual property (IP) law. Such services include giving advice on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in general as well as undertaking mandates relating to the filing, prosecution, registration, protection and management of IPR portfolios. We also undertake valuation of IP portfolios although in Zimbabwe reflecting IP as a stand-alone asset on a corporate balance sheet is yet to gain traction.
Notwithstanding that IP law is our core service, the over-arching nature of intellectual property is that it permeates most aspects of legal work.
Copyright protection, the protection of corporate confidential information through confidential and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Drafting, interpretation and implementation of NDAs.
Sponsorship, endorsement and/or marketing rights and obligations.
Transnational Franchising, Registered User, Licensing and IPRs assignment agreements.
Reputational risk management.
Domain name registration and protection.
Online content protection, legal issues concerned with the delivery of banking services through use of electronic media facilities.
Social media use issues arising from banking services and Brand ambassador management.
Registration, prosecution, protection and management of IPRs including trade mark portfolio evaluation, renewal of trade marks, assignments and brand value enhancement initiatives.
Although it is possible to secure patent protection for Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO), we recommend registering patents through the ARIPO regional route for two main reasons...
We recommend securing industrial design protection through ARIPO where simultaneous multi-jurisdictional coverage and cost-effectiveness are important considerations to an applicant. The Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) registration route may be desirable for other reasons.
We handle ARIPO, Madrid and Zimbabwe trade mark applications. The Zimbabwe Trade Marks Act incorporates (domesticates) both the Banjul and Madrid Protocols. However, forms and processes that are prescribed by the Trade Mark Regulations are yet to be amended so as to assimilate ARIPO and Madrid trade marks effectively into national law.
Zimbabwe has a dedicated Act for the registration of PBRs namely the Plant Breeders Rights Act, [Chapter 18:16] and implementing regulations contained in Statutory Instrument 113/1998.
We advise on copyright matters. Copyright is not a registrable right in Zimbabwe and is governed by international legal instruments and a dedicated copyright and neighbouring rights set of national legislation.