Tag: PatentLaw

In March 2026, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down a significant decision in The Regents of the University of California & Others vs Eurolab (Pty) Ltd & Others. The case turned on a deceptively simple question: who is legally entitled to apply for a patent under South African law?

As gene therapy technologies continue to reshape modern medicine, patent law increasingly faces a difficult task. Courts must distinguish products of nature from genuine biological engineering. They frequently decide whether inventions involving genetic material represent technological innovation or merely identify naturally occurring biological features.

As consumer demand shifts towards healthier lifestyles, the food industry is rapidly evolving beyond traditional nutrition. Diet trends such as keto, vegan and other wellness-focused regimes are driving investment into products that offer more than basic sustenance. These include functional beverages, plant-based alternatives, enhanced infant formulas and botanically enriched foods.