Smit & Van Wyk

20/05/2026

Esmari Jonker, franchise attorney at Smit & van Wyk Inc, will be joining leading franchise attorneys from around the world at the IBA/IFA Joint Conference in Washington, DC, USA.

The conference brings together international legal professionals to engage on key developments and emerging issues in international franchising.

Esmari will moderate a workshop on how to protect franchise networks against cybercrimes.

18/05/2026

Kevlar changed the world of protection, and it all started with Intellectual Property and innovation. 🛡️

In 1965, chemist Stephanie Kwolek discovered the synthetic fibre while working for DuPont. Originally researching lightweight tire materials, she uncovered a fibre so strong that it was later used in body armour worn by police and military personnel worldwide.

Kevlar became a valuable form of intellectual property through patents, research, branding, and commercial development. It is a reminder that innovation can protect more than business interests. Sometimes it protects lives too.

12/05/2026

Q20 is more than just the can hiding in every South African garage. It is also a great example of Intellectual Property Law in action. 🔧

First developed in Johannesburg in 1950, Q20 became known for solving everyday problems like rusted bolts, squeaky hinges, sticky locks, and corrosion. The company relies on two powerful forms of intellectual property protection:

➡ Trade Mark Protection protects the name “Q20”, preventing competitors from selling products under the same brand name.

➡ Trade Secrets protect the formula and manufacturing process, which remain confidential.

From household products to global brands, Intellectual Property Law helps businesses protect the value behind their ideas, formulas, and reputation.

04/05/2026

Some ideas take a few shots before they land... 💥 Early repeaters by Peter Kalthoff and Bartolomeo Girardoni proved the concept, but they were not built for scale. Then Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson moved things forward with the Volcanic rifle.

The real shift came in 1860 when Benjamin Tyler Henry turned the idea into a practical, reliable system. That is where invention became strong intellectual property. Something that worked, could be produced, and could spread.

Same idea for centuries. One version made it stick 😏

26/04/2026

World Intellectual Property Day is here, and ideas are taking centre stage. 💡 Celebrated each year on 26 April by the World Intellectual Property Organization, this day shines a light on how intellectual property fuels creativity, business, and progress.

From patents and trade marks to copyright and designs, intellectual property gives creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses the confidence to put their ideas out into the world. Protect the idea, grow the idea, profit from the idea. Not a bad playbook.

This year’s theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” puts the spotlight on the fast-moving world of sport. Think beyond the scoreboard. Behind every piece of equipment, every team logo, every broadcast, and every fan moment, there is innovation at work. Intellectual property is what keeps those ideas protected and in play.

At Smit & Van Wyk, we know that strong ideas deserve strong protection. Whether it is on the field or in the boardroom, the right IP strategy can be the difference between sitting on the bench and leading the pack.

Ready to protect your next big idea?

21/04/2026

Today is World Creativity and Innovation Day. 💡 A good reminder that ideas are not just nice to have. They are the start of progress.

At Smit & Van Wyk Intellectual Property Attorneys, creativity shows up in every trade mark, design, and invention we help protect. Behind each one sits a spark that someone chose to act on.

Making creativity matter means giving those ideas the legal space to grow, trade, and stand strong in the market.

If it can be imagined, it can be protected.

20/04/2026

Back in 1943, Richard James took a simple spring and gave it a clever twist. The Slinky did not just sit there. It moved. It “walked” down stairs, turning gravity and momentum into a little show that never got old.

But the real win was not only the toy. It was the idea behind it. A helical spring, shaped and timed just right, became intellectual property with staying power. That single concept stretched into a whole range, from the original metal version to bright plastic designs, plus playful spin-offs like Slinky Dog and even a tiny pocket version.

Here is the kicker. It stayed affordable. That meant more homes, more kids, more staircases getting their moment.

A simple idea, protected and expanded, proving that you do not need complexity to make something last.

Protect the idea. Let it move. Then watch it travel… step by step 😏

16/04/2026

Our team will be attending the 2026 INTA Annual Meeting in London from May 2–6, 2026 🗓️ We’d welcome the chance to connect and discuss how we can support your intellectual property needs in Africa.

To schedule a meeting, please contact:

Wessel van Wyk
[email protected]

Chantal Hoffelner
[email protected]

Rogan Bruce:
[email protected]

Cherize de Lange
[email protected]

30/03/2026

A small invention. A very sharp idea.

American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt (1796–1859) created the modern safety pin after twisting a piece of brass wire while looking for a way to pay off a small debt.

The result was a simple but clever device with a spring coil and a protective clasp. A fastener that kept the point covered and fingers safe. In April 1849 he registered Patent No. 6,281 for his “dress pin.”

While similar pins existed long before, his design introduced the practical, safe version still used around the world today.

It is a neat reminder that intellectual property can turn even the smallest idea into a lasting piece of everyday life. Sometimes the biggest inventions come with a point.

16/03/2026

Some inventions hide in plain sight. This one quite literally did...

Katharine Burr Blodgett was a pioneering physicist who became the first woman to earn a PhD from Cambridge University and the first female scientist hired at General Electric’s research laboratory.

In the early 1900s, she developed a method to create ultra thin molecular coatings called Langmuir–Blodgett films. When these microscopic layers were applied to glass, they removed reflections and glare and made the glass almost “invisible.”

That breakthrough changed optical technology. Today the same principle lives inside camera lenses, eyeglasses, screens, and scientific instruments used around the world.

Her work is also a reminder of why intellectual property matters. Protecting innovation allows ideas to move from the lab to everyday life. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the things you can barely see.

Recognition: National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee.

Image source: Smithsonian Institution Archives.

27/02/2026

We are looking for a driven and detail-oriented Candidate Attorney to join our Patents Department. If you have a technical background and a genuine interest in Intellectual Property law, this could be the right next step in your career.
View here: https://www.svw.co.za/careers/

Minimum Requirements:
➡️ Engineering or BSc degree
➡️ Consistent strong academic results at school and university
➡️ A clear interest in Intellectual Property law
➡️ Enrolled for, or currently completing, an LLB degree
(Candidates who will imminently enrol for an LLB will also be considered)
➡️ Valid driver’s license and own transport

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys combining technical expertise with legal thinking and wants to build a career in the patent field.

If you meet the requirements and are ready to grow within a focused and high-performing team, we would like to hear from you.

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Smit & Van Wyk vacancies. Available positions at our law firm in Pretoria, South Africa.