Explore selected decisions from the courts of South Africa across a broad range of legal subjects. Search the collection by case name, year, focus area or case number. The collection provides access to case details, key legal issues, decision summaries and available judgments. It is intended to make South African case law easier to find and use for research, education and public information.

About This Collection

The South Africa Case Law collection forms part of NIPJD, Nooktoria’s broader collection of court decisions from jurisdictions across Africa. It includes selected South African decisions across a broad range of legal subjects.

Each available case record may include:

  • The parties, court, judge and case number;
  • The legal issues considered by the court;
  • A summary of the facts and arguments;
  • The court’s decision and reasoning;
  • The final orders made;
  • The significance of the decision; and
  • A copy of or link to the judgment, when available.

Nooktoria continues to expand this collection as additional South African judgments and reliable case information become available.

Browse South Africa Court Decisions

Case NameFocus AreaCase No.More Information
Haupt t/a Softcopy v. Brewers Marketing Intelligence (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright118/05
Nestle Nespresso S.A. v. Secret River Trading CC t/a Caffeluxe DistributorsTrademark20147/2014More
Tellytrack v. Marshalls World of Sport (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright971/2018More
Claasen and Another v. TEC Novation Solution (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Software2017/40521More
Makarenge Electrical Industries (Pty) Ltd t/a Wilec v. Albro (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCompetition / IPIR095Oct21
Board of Healthcare Funders v. Discovery Health Medical Scheme and OthersCopyright / Database35769/2010More
Moresport (Pty) Ltd v. Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service and OthersCopyright36853/2006More
ADP Marine & Modular Proprietary Limited v. Rocher and OthersCopyright / Confidential Information5701/2022More
Forensic Data Analysis (Pty) Ltd and Another v. National Police Commissioner of the South African Police Service and AnotherCopyright / Software20736/2021More
Heald v. Combined Artists CCCopyright68766/2012More
Media 24 Books (Pty) Ltd v. Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) LtdCopyright23368/12More
Moneyweb (Pty) Limited v. Media 24 Limited and AnotherCopyright31575/2013More
Gallo Africa Ltd and Others v. Sting Music (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright / Music40/2010More
Feldman NO v. EMI Music SA (Pty) Ltd / EMI Music Publishing SA (Pty) LtdCopyright / Music268/2008 and 269/2008More
Pixel Kollective (Pty) Ltd v. Mtombeni and OthersCopyright52684/2021
Mr. Video (Pty) Ltd and Others v. Nu Metro Filmed Entertainment (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright472/08More
Appleton and Another v. Harnischfeger Corporation and AnotherPatent495/92More
Galago Publishers (Pty) Ltd and Another v. ErasmusCopyright130/88More
Technical Systems (Pty) Ltd and Another v. RTS Industries and OthersPatent16075/19More
Heald v. Combined ArtistsCopyright50872/14More
Quill Associates (Pty) Ltd v. Randfontein Local Municipality and OthersCopyright / Software36264/2013, 36265/2013More
Pick 'n Pay Retailers (Pty) Ltd v. Commissioner of South African Revenue Services and OthersCopyright13354/2007More
Dexion Europe Ltd. v. Universal Storage Systems (Pty) Ltd.Patent500/2000More
Taskflow (Pty) Ltd v. Aluxium (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright / Software2021/41676More
SABC SOC Ltd v. Via Vollenhoven & Appollis Independent CC and OthersCopyright / Broadcasting13/23293More
Ellies Electronics (Pty) Ltd v. Beyond Platinum (Pty) Ltd and OthersPatent39111/2018More
Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited and Another v. KwaZulu-Natal Bookmakers' SocietyCopyright / Database28205/2014More
Media 24 Books (Pty) Ltd v. Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) LtdCopyright886/2015More
Non-Detonating Solutions (Pty) Ltd v. DuriePatent20440/2014More
National Commissioner of the South African Police Services and Another v. Forensic Data Analysts (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Software24570/2018More
Bliss Brands (Pty) Ltd v. Advertising Regulatory Board NPC & OthersTrademark / Advertising22061/2020More
Disney Enterprises, Inc v. Griesel NO and OthersCopyright12003/04More
My-China Discount Store (Pty) Ltd v. Mosese and OthersTrademark076084/2023
Freefall Trading 211 (Pty) Ltd t/a Property Trader v. Proplink Publishing (Pty) LtdCopyright10491/05More
Georges Briere SA v. Mthimunye Engineering Works CC and OthersPatent2518/2011More
King v. South African Weather ServicesCopyright716/07
Jacana Education (Pty) Ltd v. Frandsen Publishers (Pty) LtdCopyright305/96More
Schultz v. ButtCopyright327/84More
Mokoena and Another v. Minister of Tourism and OthersCopyright8931/2020More
Homechoice v. Lewis Stores (Pty) LtdCopyright17166/2018More
Evrigard (Pty) Ltd v. ENB Import and Export (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark57565/2021More
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha and Another v. Hoffmann International (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark2005/10365More
Adcock Ingram Limited and Others v Cipla Medpro (Pty) LimitedTrademarks; Intellectual Property; Trademark Infringement; Pharmaceutical Products10455/2023More
Terespolsky and Another v. Morituri Restaurant (Lakeside) and OthersCopyright107/13More
Brian Boswell Circus (Pty) Ltd. and Another v Boswell Wilkie Circus (Pty) Ltd.Trade name88/85More
Commercial Auto Glass (Pty) Ltd v. Baker Street Trust and OthersCopyright14079/04
Century City Apartments Property Services CC and Another v Century City Property Owners AssociationTrademark Infringement; Revocation; Geographical Origin57/09More
Rand West City Local Municipality v. Quill Associates (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Software497/20More
Mokima Music and Publishing (Pty) Ltd v Black Brain PicturesCopyright Infringement; Copyright in Musical Works; Songs; Musical and Literary Works2023-132153More
Bergh and Others v. Agricultural Research CouncilCopyright93/2019More
South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd v Via Vollenhoven and Appollis Independent CC and OthersCopyright Dispute13/23293More
Payen Components South Africa Ltd v. Bovic Gaskets CC and OthersPatent448/93More
Laugh It Off Promotions CC v South African Breweries International (Finance) BV t/a Sabmark International and AnotherTrademarks; Intellectual Property; Constitutionality; TrademarksCCT 42/04More
Beukes and Another v. Botha and OthersCopyright(P) I 111/2004More
National Soccer League T/A Premier Soccer League v Gidani (Pty) LtdCopyright Infringement10/48519More
LA Group Ltd and Another v. B & J Meltz (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark2672/04
Snap-On Africa (Pty) Ltd and Others v Joubert and OthersAnton Piller Orders; Counterfeit Goods Act; Copyright Act; Copyright Infringement41993/2012More
Peta Attorneys v. Provision Research and Events CC and AnotherCopyright2019/40177More
Ex parte President of the Republic of South Africa: In re Constitutionality of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection Amendment BillConstitutionality; Copyright Exceptions; Fair Use; Protection of Literary and Artistic Works; Criminal Procedure ActCCT 306/24More
The Philanthropic Collection (Pty) Ltd v. Girls & Boys South AfricaTrademark3029/2017More
Frank & Hirsch (Pty) Ltd. v A Roopanand Brothers (Pty) Ltd.Copyright; Parallel Importation580/91More
South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd v. Platco Digital (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Broadcasting39840/2013More
Emisha Software (Pty) Ltd v Servsol Software Solutions CC and OthersCopyright Infringement in Computer Program2023/069011More
Van Zyl and Another v. Meat Matrix Software (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Software35355/2013
The Sugarless Company (Pty) Ltd v Quad Africa Energy (Pty) LtdTrademark; Copyright Infringement; Passing off; Reliefts; Counterfeit Goods25802/2018More
RTS Industries and Others v. Technical Systems (Pty) Ltd and AnotherPatent145/2021More
Transunion Auto Information Solutions (Pty) Ltd v Autobid (Pty) LtdCopyright; Reliefs6494/2011More
AM Moolla Group Ltd and Others v. GapTrademark; Counterfeit Goods543/2003More
Klep Values (Pty) Ltd. v Saunders Value Company Ltd.493/84/AVMore
PCCW Vuclip (Singapore) PTE Ltd v. E.tv (Pty) LtdCopyright / Broadcasting37629/2021More
Technical systems v Feed Chain Industries and OthersTrade Secrets; Copyright Infringement7235/2017More
Golden China TV Game Centre and Others v. Nintendo Co LtdCopyright55/94More
Blind SA v Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition and OthersCopyright Infringement; Constitutionality; Copyright ActCCT 320/21More
FCB Africa Proprietary Ltd v. Bousaada Proprietary Ltd and AnotherTrademark16949/2021More
Tele Atlas Africa (Pty) Ltd and Another v Afrigis (Pty) LtdCopyright Infringement; Maps and Digital Maps14421/11
Allcopy Publishers (Pty) Ltd and Others v. PhillipsCopyright; Reliefs' Leave of Appeal00001/2024More
Universal City Studios Inc and Another v Network Video (Pty) Ltd.Copyright Act; Cinematography Films3/86
Nativa (Pty) Ltd v. Austell Laboratories (Pty) LtdTrademark1289/2018More
Feldman NO v EMI Music Publishing SA (Pty) Limited, Feldman NO v EMI Music SA (Pty) LimitedCopyright Infringement06/23130More
Waylite Diary CC v. First National Bank LtdCopyright663/1992
South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd v Via Vollenhoven and Appollis Independent CC and OthersCopyright in Films13/23293More
Pulkowski v. South African Broadcasting Corporation Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Broadcasting96/06/01
Rentworks Africa v. Innovent Rental & Asset Management Solutions (Pty) LtdCopyright / Software11765/05More
Forensic Data Analysts (Pty) Ltd and Others v. National Commissioner of the South African Police Service and AnotherCopyright / Software32643/2021More
Aluxium Proprietary Ltd and Others v. Taskflow Proprietary LtdCopyright; Computer Programs and Software; Appeals; DiscoveryA328/2024More
Bata Brands SA v. Rexview Investments (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark55598/2020More
Union-Swiss (Pty) Ltd v. Govender and OthersTrademark5903/2017
Futura Footwear Ltd v. Minister of Police and OthersTrademark1540/2013More
Yossi Barel v. Popular Trading CC and OthersTrademark; Counterfeit Goods1102/2023
Biotech Laboratories (Pty) Ltd v. Beecham Group Plc and AnotherPatent494/2000More
Phillips v. Allcopy Publishers (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright2023/114791More
Hudaco Trading (Pty) Ltd v. Apex Superior Quality Parts (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark12825/2020More
Rage Distribution (Pty) Ltd v. Rage Footwear 1999 CC and AnotherTrademark037824/2023More
Hospitality Industrial and Commercial Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd v. Dietrich and OthersCopyright / Confidential Information38625/05More
Laugh It Off Promotions CC v. South African Breweries International (Finance) BV t/a Sabmark InternationalTrademark242/2003More
Van der Merwe and Another v. Els and AnotherCopyright3279/08
Autobi (Pty) Ltd v. Transunion Auto Information Solutions (Pty) LtdCompetition / IP59/CR/May12More
Mutual Safe and Security (Pty) Ltd and Another v. Simpson Safes (Pty) LtdPatent43393/20More
Steloy Castings (Pty) Ltd and Others v. B&K Castings (Pty) LtdPatent49326/2015More
Cadac (Pty) Ltd v. Weber-Stephen Products Company and OthersTrademark530/09More
Memory Institute SA CC t/a SA Memory Institute v. Hansen and OthersCopyright253/02
Easigas (Pty) Ltd v. Penguin Gas (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark9415/2021More
Metropolitan Health Corporate (Pty) Ltd v. Neil Harvey and Associates (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright / Database10264/10More
H Mocke Construction (Pty) Ltd and Another v. Pexmart CC and OthersCopyright58201/2014More
Caterham Car Sales and Coachworks Ltd v. Birkin Cars (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark393/95More
Peter-Ross v. Ramesar and AnotherCopyright2064/06More
Dix v. Calzanetto Sociedad LimitadaTrademarkA5002/2019More
Designer Water (Pty) Ltd v. Alkamax Beverages (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark59246/21More
Blind SA v. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition and OthersCopyright14996/21More
Member of the Executive Council, Department of Health, Northern Cape Province v. Norman N.O. obo LottCopyright2720/2017More
National Consumer Commission v. ISMACUBE (Pty) Ltd t/a ISMEGATrademark / Consumer ProtectionNCT/138658/2020/73(2)(b)More
Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport v. Rampar Trading (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark59/10More
Colgate-Palmolive (Pty) Ltd and Another v. Bliss Brands (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark095598/2024More
Servsol Software Solutions CC and Others v. Emisha Software (Pty) Ltd (Leave to Appeal)Copyright / Software2023/069011More
Scientia Optimate Financial Services (Pty) Ltd v. Lukhaimane N.O. and OthersCopyright / Software65635/2020More
Wirulink (Pty) Ltd v. Wirunet Internet Service Provider (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademarkCTO1505ADJ2023
Digital Healthcare Solutions (Pty) Ltd and Competition Commission / Healthbridge (Pty) LtdCompetition / IP41/AM/Jun02More
New United Pharmaceutical Distributors Norvatis SACompetition / Pharmaceutical05/IR/A/Jul01More
Premier Freight (Pty) Ltd v. BreathetexTrademark2301/02More
Hantle Infra Planning (Pty) Ltd v. Retro Reflective (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright1354/2020More
Luxor Paints (Pty) Ltd v. Gecko Coating SA (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark5809/2022
Agricultural Research Council v. South African Stud Book and Animal Improvement Associations and OthersPleadings; Reliefs; Copyright; Copyright Infringement5265/2014More
Salt of the Earth Creations (Pty) Ltd and Others v. Stuttafords Stores (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright4720/2007
Harambe Technologies (Pty) Ltd v. Sentech SOC LtdCopyright / Software2023/058224More
Geo Equip Africa (Pty) Ltd v. Geobrugg Southern Africa (Pty) LtdTrademark2023/106927More
Group Five Construction (Pty) Ltd v. Constantia Insurance Company and OthersCopyright34068/2019More
Muvhali v. Lukhele and OthersCopyright21/34140
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. and Another v. MTN Group Ltd and OthersPatent2013/44462More
Air and Allied Technologies CC and Others v. Advanced Air Control Technologies (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark; Anton Piller Order; 25911/2017More
Discovery Ltd and Others v. Liberty Group LtdTrademark21362/2019More
Technical Systems (Pty) Ltd v RTS Industries and Others Damages; Contempt of Court; Copyright; Copyright in Artistic Works; Copyright in Drawings5288/2020More
Rand West City Local Municipality v Quill Associates (Pty) Ltd and AnotherCopyright72470/2018More
4 Knights International Events Company (Pty) Limited v Chess South Africa and OthersConflict of Interest2019/31880More
Teaca Properties (Pty) Ltd and Others v John Banza and OthersCopyright2017/36741
GR5 Degreaser Trading CC v Enterprise Development Solutions Projects (Pty) Ltd and OthersTrademark39959/2014More
Keith Ho t/a BetXchange and Another v Minister of Police and OthersCounterfeit Goods; Counterfeiting; Trademark2014/20483More
First and Another v IzakCopyrightA3021/2013
Flusk and Another v BergCopyrightA3021/2013More
Strike Productions (Pty) Ltd v Bon View Trading 131 (Pty) Ltd and OthersCopyright10/21704More
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and Another v Advertising Digital Services (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark79790/2017More
OHM Electrical Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd v Van Eeden and AnotherCopyright / Confidential Information121736/2023More
Ramahlo N.O. and Another v Jansen N.O. and AnotherCopyright002598/2023
National Brands Limited v Continental Biscuit Manufacturers (Pty) LtdTrademark43416/2020
Benmarc Environmental (Pty) Ltd v Otto and AnotherCopyright / Confidential InformationB16/2023
Van der Merwe and Others v Van Wyk Auditors and OthersCopyright48149/2021
F.E.V. v. I.V. and AnotherCopyright46543/2019More
QS Online (Pty) Ltd v Minister of Public WorksCopyright / Software24718/2021
South African Dance Foundation v Phiri and OthersCopyright53311/2013
iCollege (Pty) Ltd v Xcellence Skills Development and Mentorship CC and AnotherTrademark40105/2019More
Open Horizon Ltd v Carnilinx (Pty) LtdTrademark66901/2019More
Gradco South Africa (Pty) Ltd v Mouton and AnotherCopyright / Confidential Information79946/2019
Innovative Water Care LLC and Another v Fluidra Waterlinx (Pty) LtdTrademark / Passing Off69172/2019More
Edgars Consolidated Stores Limited v Williams In re: Opposition to Trademark Application Number 2001/4336: Music in Class 35Interlocutory Application; Trademark Opposition; Trademark Publication; Opposition of Trademarks4175/07More
Quad Africa Energy (Pty) Ltd v The Sugarless Company (Pty) Ltd and AnotherTrademark Infringement, Passing-off1176/2018More

Disclaimer

The case summaries and other information provided in this collection are for research, educational and public-information purposes. They do not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the complete judgment and applicable legislation when conducting legal research.