Ron Wheeldon Attorneys
Your Ever Vigilant IP company
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Practice Areas
Trade Mark Searches
Trade mark searches are the first step to making sure your trade mark application is successful and the money that you invest into your brand’s creation is not wasted.
Trade Mark Registration
You can use your proposed trade mark without registering, but if you do, you’re leaving your brand, reputation, goodwill, and business vulnerable. That’s why registering your trade mark should be one of the first things you do.
Trade Mark Clearance
This is the first step to making sure your trade mark application is successful. If your chosen mark already exists (or there is one very similar to it), your application will be rejected. However, working with our staff during this vital stage of the process will ensure your chosen trade mark is unique.
Trade Mark Assignments
A trade mark assignment is a common occurrence when a business is sold, or a group of companies undergoes a reorganisation. When assigned the rights, title, and interest in the trade mark is transferred to the new legal owner, either in its entirety or partially.
Trade Mark Enforcement
The first step to ensuring the strength of your trade mark is to make sure it is registered correctly for the products or services in which you trade. Once this is done, you can take action against others for trade mark infringement. The second is to be vigilant. The act of registration doesn’t stop conflicting applications. It’s down to you to prevent the use and registration of any trade marks which are the same or similar to your own.
Domain Name Acquisition
Your online marketplace is massively competitive, so having a domain name that gives your brand a tactical advantage is worth its weight in gold. Domain name acquisition is rarely as easy as it seems, and in our increasingly digital world it is absolutely crucial you get the best possible domain name.
Trade Marks
Your organization’s tradename or brand is a calling card, an advertisement, and, ideally, one way in which the public always will remember you. However, if business owners and organization leaders don’t do some research before selecting a name or brand, that may spawn legal issues stemming from trade mark infringement
I have often been struck in practice by the prevalence of the notion, held by many traders, accountants and even attorneys that, if they, or one of their clients, wish to place a name on a product, or conduct a service business under a name, all they need to do is apply for a company name and, if it is granted by the Companies Office, they then proceed to use it, often in direct conflict with registered trade mark rights or common law rights of reputation. What many people fail to appreciate is that the granting of a company or close corporation name does not imply that the Registrar of Companies has checked the trade mark register, or any register at all other than his own and, while the right conferred is to use the name as the name of the corporation, no right is conferred to use the name as a trade mark.
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What clients say
Ron and I have worked together for over 20 years and I have no hesitation in recommending him as an outstanding, creative and resourceful IP specialist in South Africa. He has immense experience of dealing with high-profile trade mark prosecution and litigation at all levels. He’s a great guy too.
PHILIP HARRIS, TRADEMARK LAWYER
Ron Wheeldon is as sharp as a diamond edged razor; he works fast and smart and his output in any given time frame far outperforms his competition. Ron is THE IP specialist in South Africa and he’s given us outstanding service and results. You want Ron on your team for any TM and IP related tasks and his a superb candidate when it comes to any and all trial work. I recommend Ron without hesitation!
GUSTAV ERLANK, DIRECTOR
You will always get sound & practical advice from Ron. He is also prepared to explore novel solutions to problems.
SHAUN RYAN, NOTARY
Ron Wheeldon is ever vigilant in his work!
JUDGE P GAMBLE of the CAPE HIGH COURT – DELIVERING HIS JUDGEMENT