Intellectual Property Made Simple - ebook

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‘An English court once said that there is no universal definition of “intellectual property” or “intellectual property law”, and although there is consensus as to its core content (patents for inventions, copyright, aesthetic and functional design rights, and trademarks) there is none as to its limits.

Intellectual property is like dark matter – intangible, elusive, but present; and since the Statute of Monopolies of 1623, ever-expanding.

We all know of its existence, but we do not grasp its importance or its borders or the extent to which it affects out daily lives.

Each has its own origin, rules, and universe. Each has its own “thing”.

To present this mixed bag in simplified form in one slim volume without unnecessary legalese is a major accomplishment. Few have been able to do what Adv Owen Salmon SC succeeded in doing and I fully recommend this book to the general public – and to many learned lawyers – as a beginner’s guide to IP. The reader will at least now know that one does not have a patent in one’s idea or copyright in a trademark. And how easily and often we infringe copyright.’

Louis (L T C) Harms 
Retired Judge of Appeal, former deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal and Professor Extraordinary for Intellectual Property Law at the University of Pretoria; author of The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: A Case Book

“Persons in commerce and elsewhere are often confronted with complicated intellectual property concepts, and it is in their best interest to understand them well. Adv Salmon’s book goes a long way towards making these concepts understandable and less intimidating.”

Wim Alberts 
Professor of Mercantile law in the University of Johannesburg

"This book has ably and admirably met its aim 'to simplify intellectual property law, making its basic principles easily understandable'. Intellectual property is at the core of our everyday lives, being relevant to several aspects such as economic, cultural, entertainment and educational activities. Its significance has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic specifically in relation to equitable access to vaccines, a topical issue. The book acquaints readers with the basic tenets of intellectual property law which equips them to understand the field and to debate or converse about it, at a time when its importance is again at the fore."

Caroline B Ncube 
SARChI Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and DevelopmentProfessor, Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town Co-editor, South African Intellectual Property Law Journal 

‘I am delighted to endorse the book written by Advocate Owen Salmon SC. I do so in the knowledge that his book will be easily followed and understood by readers, especially those who are not trained lawyers. My experience with Owen Salmon’s writings are such that his style of writing make it easy to follow the trend and meaning.

As an illustration, he once delivered a very long opinion for the Argus Group who are major publishers of journals and newspapers, all of whom being users of the written word. On the receipt of that opinion, I was asked to convey their thanks for the clear and lucid presentation. His summation of the law, interwoven with the facts, made it possible for the client to easily circumvent any obstacles. 

Our working relationship spans over 25 years , includes various fora such as the highest court in Bloemfontein , and the Constitutional Court. If I could  be allowed to do so,  and I would mention his happy clients include personalities like the late Advocate George Bizos, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He has a lovely picture given as a token of gratitude. That picture is of the late President Nelson Mandela.’

Don MacRobert 
Patent Attorney, founder and former CEO of Get Ahead Foundation; founder Chairman of Lawyers for Human Rights (Pretoria); former partner at Adams & Adams; past President of Licensing Executives Society; former consultant at ENS; co-author of From Edison to iPod - Protect your ideas and Make Money (DK, 2007).

‘The author, an eminent senior counsel with great experience in the field, who I have known for many years, aims to simplify IP law by making its basic principles easily understandable. He has succeeded - by concentrating on the four pillars of IP: trademarks, copyright, designs and patents. He has extracted the principles from the statutes and used them to give a useful overview of the legal policies and rules applicable to IP rights. Well-illustrated with images and drawings and with timely reminders to seek the advice of an expert, it is an exceptionally good introduction to IP. All in 138 pages. I would strongly recommend that every businessperson concerned with the protection of IP and every budding IP practitioner should read the book and use it as a guide.’

BR Southwood
Judge of the High Court (Retired)

‘There are so many people who in their professional, personal or business life should have a better understanding and appreciation of intellectual property: what it is, how important it is and the law surrounding it. Owen Salmon’s Intellectual Property Made Simple achieves what it says. Owen Salmon’s book provides the reader with a user-friendly, easily understandable overview of intellectual property.  I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who requires a better understanding of trade marks, designs, copyright and patents . Owen Salmon is to be commended in providing such a useful tool.’

Ian Isdale
General Counsel and Company Secretary of listed companies. He was Group Company Secretary and Legal Counsel for Tiger Brands from 1993 to 2015.

'This is a book for people who require practical, easy-to-understand guidance in this often complex field. Simple, engaging and easy to understand — it is a book that every law student and business person should have.’

Gail Schimmel
CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board; author of Advertising Law (Juta) and best-selling novelist.

‘I was introduced to Owen by legendary copyright attorney, Don MacRobert, who approached Owen to assist with a case that involved copyright disputes of work that I had composed and arranged. Upon meeting Don and Owen, I had little to no knowledge of the intricacies of intellectual property and the importance thereof. As a creative, we are immersed in the creative process and outcomes thereof that scant regard is given to copyright and ownership of works. As a composer putting my heart and soul into every note, a dispute over my works' copyright and ownership was deeply unsettling. Owen's kind, caring, and rational approach and demeanour has not only ensured that my case is close to being amicably resolved but reignited my creative flame when I needed it most.’

Ralf Schmitt
Conductor & composer; Musical Director of the Ndlovu Youth Choir

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