Von Seidels

Head Office Address:
4 East Park, Central Park on Park Lane
Century City Cape Town, 7441
South Africa

Tel:+27 215 262 800
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Key contacts:

Head of Patents: Erik van der Vyver
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Head of Trade Marks: Claire Smedley
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Andrè J Maré: Head of Commercial IP
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Quick facts:

Total number of practitioners: 60
Languages: English, German, French, Chinese
Network memberships: AIPPI, ECTA, FICPI, INTA, LES, MARQUES, VPP


Von Seidels is a leading African intellectual property (IP) law firm renowned for protecting, managing, and enforcing IP rights across the continent. The firm assists local and international clients with obtaining and managing all forms of IP protection with a strong focus on patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. The firm also deals with all IP related commercial activities, including transactions, structuring, IP aspects of exchange control, agreements, licensing, transfers, valuations and litigation.

Von Seidels has become one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest and most respected IP firms, backed by a team of 130 people. Its attorneys combine deep technical expertise with sharp commercial acumen and a commitment to client-centric service.

The firm provides IP services throughout Africa with regional offices / service hubs located in:

South Africa (headquarters in Cape Town, satellite office in Johannesburg)
Nigeria - serving West Africa
Kenya - serving East Africa
Namibia - serving the ARIPO region (20+ African countries)
Cameroon - serving the OAPI region (17 African countries)

The firm delivers a full suite of IP services, including patents, trade marks, designs, copyright, anti counterfeiting, licensing, commercial transactions, portfolio strategy, and high impact litigation. Its client base spans startups, research institutions, and leading global technology companies.

Von Seidels is consistently recognised for excellence and ranked as a top tier IP law firm in South Africa, recognised for its cross border strength, standout results in patent and trade mark matters, and its ability to translate complex IP challenges into strategic business outcomes.

As the first African IP firm to achieve ISO 9001 certification, Von Seidels sets the benchmark for service quality and reliability. Its recent expansion into Kenya reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthen on the ground expertise and support Africa’s accelerating innovation economy.

Practice Areas: Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property (contentious), Intellectual property (prosecution), IP transactions ITC litigation, Life sciences, IP Patent (contentious), Patent (prosecution), PTAB litigation, Trade mark (contentious), Trade mark (prosecution)

 Sector Expertise: Advertising, Aerospace, Agriculture, Artificial intelligence, Automotive, Biotechnology, Chemical Computer technology & services, Construction and materials, E-commerce, Electrical, Electronics, Energy, Fashion & luxury goods, Film, Financial services, FMCG, Food and beverage, Gaming,  ICT & software, Industrials, Internet, Life sciences, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Media, Medical device,  Mining, Oil and gas, Pharmaceutical, Renewable energy, Retail, Robotics, Semiconductors, Sports, Technology hardware, Telecommunication, Universities & research