Trade Mark

An experienced intellectual property advisor with over 20 years’ experience gained in local and international law firms as well as in-house. Former partner of international firm FieldFisher LLP in London. Especially interested in IP management (primarily brands), prosecution, commercialisation and enforcement in Africa but worked for a decade in London, focusing on Europe Lead counsel for the BSA The Software Alliance in South Africa An editorial board member of Oxford University Press: Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice Editor and founder of the Afro-IP weblog. He tweets from @DarrenTOlivier Recognised by Who’s Who Legal, Chambers Global, World Trademark 1000, Legal 500, South African Institute of IP Law, Managing Intellectual Property and IAM 300 Former Trustee of the CEO SleepOut Trust, a change agent in South Africa responsible for raising the most amount of money ever on a single night for good causes The first African to be recognised in IAM’s Guide to the World’s leading IP Strategists Chair of the firm’s IP Commercialisation team Co-founder of 4 kids

Memberships Legal Practice Council (LPC) – Member International Trade Marks Association (INTA) – Member Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) – Member South African Institute of Directors (IODSA) – Member

Accolades

AFRO-IP (African Intellectual Property Community) – Co-founder Frequent speaker and writer on IP issues Best Lawyers® – Lawyer of the Year: Intellectual Property Law, Johannesburg | 2021 Best Lawyers® – Intellectual Property Law: South Africa |2019 – 2023 Chambers Global – Ranked Lawyer | 2016 – 2023 Legal 500 – Leading Individuals: Intellectual Property | 2019 – 2023 Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyers: Intellectual Property | 2018 – 2023 MIP – IP Stars: Trade Marks | 2017 – 2023 Who’s Who Legal Ranking: Sports & Gaming | 2015 – 2022 Who’s Who Legal: Global Leader – Entertainment | 2023 – 2023 Who’s Who Legal Ranking: Trademarks | 2017 – 2019, 2021 – 2022 Who’s Who Legal Ranking: Copyright | 2016 WIPR – WIPR Leaders: Trademarks| 2018 – 2022 WTR Global Leaders Guide – Elite Lawyers in Private Practice | 2019 – 2021 WTR 1000 – Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy (Highly Recommended) | 2018 – 2023 WTR 1000 – Individuals: Enforcement & Litigation (Gold) | 2018 – 2023 WTR 1000 – Individuals: Transactions (Recommended) | 2018 – 2019, 2022 – 2023 Some of his more interesting cases include litigating the first keyword case in Africa, filing the first International Registration by a South African firm, assisting the Bavaria Babes during World Cup 2010 on ambush marketing claims brought by FIFA, advising the Zulu nation on rights management, setting up IP outsourcing models for global rebrands, managing rights of the late Steve Biko, Thami Nkasa and Sanm Nzima. Selected to represent the Olympic Movement brand management program for Africa. Corporate Vision Magazine Corporate Excellence Awards – Leading Trade Mark Litigation Specialist: South Africa | 2020

Partner | Trade Mark Attorney

Admitted Attorney | 1997 Qualified Trade Mark Practitioner | 1997 Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) Qualified European Trade Mark Attorney LLB – Natal University | 1994 BCom – Natal University | 1992