Theuns Van De Merwe
- Chief of MENA Operations
- Partner
Theuns oversees the firm’s trade mark practice throughout the MENA region. He manages portfolios for major international businesses and advises on IP licensing, strategy, risk assessment, clearance, prosecution, litigation, marketing, and alternative dispute resolution. With more than 15 years of IP-related experience, Theuns has served as counsel for some of the largest businesses in the world.
Theuns was the Head of Intellectual Property at Cedar White Bradley, before it merged into CWB. Prior to joining Cedar White Bradley in 2012, Theuns worked at the African IP law firm Adams & Adams.
Experience
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As the chosen co-preferred counsel for the largest hospitality group in the world, managed their MENA trade mark portfolio, trade mark clearance, strategy, enforcement, licensing, branding, and dispute resolution undertakings in the region
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Assisted a US law firm with the Global Trade Mark Report Card submitted to the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Patent and Trade Mark Office and other agencies of the US government; the contribution covered 22 countries, and centered on well-known trade marks, landlord liability for trade mark infringement, statutory damage claims, and border measures against counterfeits
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Advised one of the world’s largest insurance providers on trade mark infringement matters in the UAE, including on potential civil injunctive proceedings and criminal and administrative complaints before local authorities
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Provided ongoing assistance to the world’s leading electronics company on contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters in the MENA region, including trade mark prosecution, opposition, litigation, and marketing clearance work
Qualifications
- Trade Mark Attorney, South Africa, 2011
- Attorney at Law, Law Society of Northern Provinces, South Africa, 2009
Education
- University of Pretoria, South Africa, LLB, 2006
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
Professional Activities
Membership
- INTA