Address:
184 Fife Avenue (Corner 9th Street and Fife Avenue)
Harare , Harare, Harare, 00263, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Head of Practice: Brenda Matanga
Contact this practitioner
Firm - Year of Establishment: 2010
Other qualified practitioners: 3
Total Number of IP Practitioners: 4
Practitioners (worldwide): 4
Languages Spoken at the Firm: 3
Network Memberships: INTA, ARIPO, ZIPO
THE FIRM
BMatanga IP Attorneys is a specialised intellectual property services firm headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe. The firm was deliberately set up as an anchor to give legal support and address the intellectual property legal needs of companies, individuals, and institutions with business interests in Africa.
Out of the realization that intellectual property interfaces with other areas of the law, we are growing our commercial practice so as to give full legal support to our Clients.
The firm is dedicated to high ethical and professional standards and adheres to a work culture of service excellence and professional competence.
We help you secure your mind’s creations!
VISION
To become a recognised, reputable and outstanding legal service provider highly sought after in the region and beyond. To grow the value of our law firm in real terms on a sustainable basis.
Intellectual property law lies at the heart of our practice we do our utmost best to be the leading voice of intellectual property matters and to impart helpful legal information to our clients.
To lead the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property narrative ensuring that all local, regional and international Intellectual Property Right holders are catered for.
MISSION
We strive to provide professional world class, high quality, cost effective and competitive legal services to our clients.
We achieve this through offering our clients efficiency, prompt responses, rigorous attention to detail and great value for money.
OUR CORE VALUES
Why Choose Us?
WE ARE CONNECTED
With established synergies with firms in various parts of the world, our international outlook ensures that we cater for our clients with a global presence and provide globally applicable solutions. As a globally present firm, we can competently assist our clients throughout and outside Africa due to the reliable network of attorneys that we work with.
WE ARE INNOVATIVE
Not only do we solve legal problems, we seek to develop effective strategies that enhance our Clients’ competitive edge on the market. We are a progressive firm, employing the latest cutting edge technology in our operational systems to enhance our service delivery.
WE ARE YOUR PARTNERS
Our practice of specialisation enables our distinguished team of attorneys to keep at the forefront of developments in their respective fields and to develop the in-depth expertise required to offer personalised services.
Our long-term view of business helps us to see potential in our Clients and to build on it to create solid and long lasting relationships. We are committed to nurturing and developing global and local relationships though various networks.
We are affiliated with the following bodies: Member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, Member of PraeLegal Global Network | Zimbabwe Representative Law Firm, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) | Affiliate Partner, African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) | Accredited Agent, Foreign member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and Member of the Adams and Adams Africa Network (Zimbabwe Associate Office).
We are a member of the Adams & Adams Africa Network.
Our Services
TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS
Protect your mark and stop illegitimate use! Original works of art deserve exclusivity. We offer trademark registration, observation, search, investigation and portfolio management services. Our copyright services include; Copyright Infringement, Licensing, Litigation, Prosecution, Protection, Registration, and Internet Copyright Law.
PATENTS
Consult us for the protection of inventions and any other innovative creations and stop free riders.
DOMAIN NAMES
Domain names are identifiers of a company and their goods and services on the internet. Protect your identity online! Our services include developing domain policies, legal opinions on domain name disputes and cybersquatting matters, representation in cross border disputes through the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) procedure.
COUNTERFEITING
Innovators need to be rewarded for their creations. Allow us to devise strategies to counter infringements and unfair competition against your intellectual property. We assist in seizures, raids, interdicts, customs surveillance, obtaining Anton Pillar Orders, implementing other available legal remedies and surveillance of markets and customs.
DESIGN LAW
An industrial design refers to the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of a product. Design registration is specifically directed at the visual features of an article, i.e. the shape and appearance of an article. We assist with Searches, Filings, Registration, Infringement, Licensing, Assignments Renewals, Litigation and all related services
TRADE SECRETS
A trade secret is generally understood as information with commercial value that has not been publicly disclosed by its holder and the holder has taken reasonable steps to protect it. We offer assistance with theft of Trade Secrets, Trade Secret Misappropriation, Confidentiality Agreements and general advice pertaining to same.
Our Services
NOTARIAL PRACTICE, CONVEYANCING & REAL ESTATE
We handle the facilitation and negotiation of property sales, registration and transfer of title for both commercial and residential properties, property disputes litigation, registration and cancellations of mortgage bonds, leases and notarial bonds, commercial contracts, ante nuptial contracts, deeds and registration of name changes.
ICT, MEDIA LAW, SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW
We handle all aspects of telecommunications including broadcasting, multimedia and the internet, privacy and copyright, defamation, ecommerce laws, cybercrimes and cyber protection, telecommunications regulatory compliance, licencing, transactions (purchase agreements and outsourcing agreements), telecommunications fees, taxes and commercial ventures.
We assist with all legal aspects of the arts, entertainment and sports including but not limited to; contracts - negotiation and drafting of corporate endorsement deals, broadcasting rights issues, licensing agreements and sponsorships, rights of publicity, defamation and privacy law issues and the various intellectual property rights issues in this industry.
INVESTMENT, IMMIGRATION, TAX & SECURITIES LAW
Our expertise also include financial and tax advisory services, banking and investment advisory services, immigration compliance, credit and security agreements, residential, employment and immigration permits, visa applications and appeals, investor rights pertaining to the type and value of the interest under consideration for purchase; notes, stocks, treasury stocks, bonds, certificates of interest or participation in profit sharing agreements, shares, investment contracts, interests in gas, oil and other mineral rights.
COMMERCIAL LAW & LITIGATION
We assist with litigation across the full spectrum of corporate and commercial law including insurance law, labour law (employment contracts, retrenchments and pension law), alternative dispute resolution mechanisms mergers, acquisitions and demergers, joint ventures, stock exchange listings and rights issues, insolvency law, import and export, electronic transactions law and commercial disputes.
We have a range of legal and commercial expertise on board which provides our clients with an integrated legal service outside the parameters of traditional legal practice including: Company secretarial services, company registration and formation, investment and operating permits, compliance and due diligence.
Key IP Areas
Copyright, Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property, Intellectual property (contentious), Intellectual property (prosecution), IP transactions, Patent, Patent (contentious), Patent (prosecution), Trade mark, Trade mark (contentious), Trade mark (prosecution), Other
Key Sector Expertise
Consumer goods and services, Fashion & luxury goods, Healthcare, Media, Music, Real estate
LAW EXPERTS ANNUAL AWARDS
Intellectual Property Law firm of the year (2022)
AI LEADING ADVISER AWARDS
Leading Specialist Intellectual Property Law
Attorney of the Year, Zimbabwe (2021)
BRENDA MATANGA
Head of Practice & Lead IP Counsel
brenda@bmatanga.com
She holds a Bachelor of Law Honours Degree (LLB) from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters in Intellectual Property Law (LLM) from the University of Turin (Italy) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). She has extensive experience in commercial practice and has over the years distinguished herself as an intellectual property law specialist Attorney. Brenda has advised and assisted global companies in IP acquisition, prosecution, strategy, and dispute resolution. As a leading IP champion in Zimbabwe, she has helped shape the industry's growth and actively empowers start-ups with dedicated IP services.
Through her distinguished status as a former President of the Zimbabwe Institute of Patents and Trademarks Agents (ZIPTA) and current role as Chairperson of the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) Working Group (which is amending the organisation's legal instruments), Brenda is in the front line of advocating and spearheading necessary legislative reforms in IP laws in Zimbabwe and the continent at large. She is a former Councillor of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, which is the governing body for the legal profession in Zimbabwe.
A member of International Trademarks Association (INTA) who has served as a committee member for the "Unreal Campaign" and in the Brands for a Better Society committee. She currently serves in INTA's Africa Global Advisory Council as a committee member.
Among other eminent accolades the following are to be found:
GILBERT MAJIRIJA
Associate Partner
litigation@bmatanga.com
Gilbert Majirija is a Professional Assistant in the firm and prides himself on being a litigator. He graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree (LLBs) in 2015.
He has a certificate in Intellectual Property with the WIPO Academy and is studying towards a masters degree in Intellectual Property Law. In the course of his career Gilbert gained unique experience in commercial law, labour law, immigration law as well as intellectual property law.
He is very passionate about intellectual property litigation and has successfully represented a number of companies in Zimbabwe and in the region. Gilbert enjoys the preparation of legal opinions on aspects such as compliance assessment, shareholder disputes, commercial agreements , plant breeders rights and intellectual property infringements.
His greatest asset is thorough research coupled with a keen passion for his work.
KUDZAI STEPHANIE MUSHANGWE
Associate Attorney
intellectualproperty@bmatanga.com
Kudzai Mushangwe is a professional assistant attorney in the firm. She graduated with a BCom in Economics and Law (with distinction in Economics) and an LLB from Rhodes University. While at Rhodes, she was placed on the Dean’s list on 3 occasions and has been a member of Golden Key International Honour Society since 2013.
Kudzai is passionate about helping people protect the expressions of their ideas. She is a registered Legal Practitioner who specialises in trademark prosecution, enforcement and prosecution of patents.
She has obtained gainful experience in her internship with the firm and ably assists local and international clients on IP protection locally in Zimbabwe and via the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).
She has a keen eye for detail and is a true grinder.
CHIDO GEZIMATI
Associate Attorney
trademarks@bmatanga.com
Chido holds a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Economics and Legal Theory and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Rhodes University. During her time in university, she was a recipient of the Investec-Rhodes Top 100 students. IP and commercial law enthusiast, she is striving to establish herself as a leading legal mind in this area of expertise.
She handles both Zimbabwe and ARIPO trademark proprietary changes, recordals, renewals as well as trade mark availability searches and industrial design prosecutions.
She is a thorough researcher and enjoys writing on various subjects of the law.