Eugene Honey is head of the IP Department, and head of the local trade mark registration and commercial intellectual property sections. His Trademark practice includes availability searches, registration of Trademarks, Trademark portfolio reviews and strategic intellectual property and Trade Mark management. He also specialises in copyright and commercial intellectual property matters, including licence and franchise agreements, strategic intellectual property advice and intellectual property due diligence exercises.

He acts for many local and international brand and trade mark proprietors and assists them with all aspects of the registration and management of their trade mark portfolios.

With regard to franchising and licensing, he advises the Franchise Association of South Africa (“FASA”) and has been on the Exco for many years. He also acts for many local and international franchisors and licensors particularly with regard to the structuring, set up and development of franchise and license systems, including the preparation of franchise and license agreements (as well as distribution agreements) or the auditing thereof, as well as advice in relation to the operations manual and disclosure document.

He has on several occasions been asked by the Department of Trade and Industry to make presentations or provide input regarding the franchise related aspects of the New Consumer Protection Act and the related regulations.

Eugene has published many articles on intellectual property matters including particularly trade marks and copyright, as well as on franchising and licensing. He also has and continues to regularly make presentations in all of these areas.