The Chair's agenda is served by means of our core functions:

Our first core function is to produce the highest level of academic research output in all areas of Intellectual Property (IP) Law, and to serve the University in this capacity. To this end, the Chair has introduced two unique postgraduate programmes in IP Law to offer the highest level of IP legal tuition possible, stimulate the volume of academic research in these fields, and widen access to legal eduction in this field. The introduction of the LLM (IP Law) and the PGDip (IP Law) is a first for a South African University and has established Stellenbosch University as the leading tertiary institute in Africa at the highest level of academic excellence in IP legal research and tuition. Both programmes have received the highest level of accreditation from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The members of the Chair are also involved in teaching several other bespoke modules of the LLB and LLM programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level and act as supervisors for all research components involving IP law and eIP law related topics. The Chair has also established the only Short Course in Intellectual Property Law in South Africa, which is accredited by Stellenbosch University and registered with the HEQC, presented annually in co-operation with the University of Cape Town. The members of the Chair further contribute to the development of IP Law in South Africa by publishing articles, case commentary, analyses, reviews, and other commentary on legal and current affairs involving IP issues. In this manner, the Chair incorporates Stellenbosch University’s academic goals and contributes to maintaining its position as the premier research institution on the continent.

To learn more about study opportunities in IP Law at Stellenbosch University, click here.

Our second core function is the promotion of South African IP both locally and abroad. It is without doubt that  South African legal development has neglected the field of Intellectual Property Law and, therefore, one of the goals of the Chair is to ensure our laws are brought in step with International Intellectual Property Law. To this end, the Chair offers its assistance to Government to help draft and pass the necessary legislation, and to advise against the introduction of unfounded statutes or impracticable law. Stellenbosch University places its proven research and academic expertise at the service of society and, by way of the Chair, new knowledge will be created and made available for the benefit of society. The Chair is established as the custodian of Intellectual Property Law at Stellenbosch University and envisages its eventual transformation into a Centre of Excellence to promote all areas of IP. 

Our third core function is the protection of IP Rights at Stellenbosch University as well as the rigorous protection of Intellectual Property Law itself against unsound legal developments or practice trends that flow from underdeveloped doctrine, political motivation, or careless legal harmonisation. Through its close ties with the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Intellectual Property, the Chair endeavours to steer the development of IP Law toward reclaiming its rightful place in Global Intellectual Property Law. Therefore, the Chair has undertaken the duty to safeguard local IP law while advocating  appropriate measures for reform that is supported by foreign and international law. At home, the Chair offers its expertise to every division of the University  and its many organs, divisions, spin-off companies and related institutions to provide sound IP Law advise and practical guidance. These include all the Academic Departments, Centers of Excellence, the University’s technology transfer company (InnovUS), the University’s Press (SunMedia), and the Division for Communication and Liaison.