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Vishen Pillay

Vishen Pillay

More information
Adams & Adams

Adams & Adams

South Africa

1

Intellectual property

Spearheaded by a twelve-strong team of professionals, the 'pragmatic' Adams & Adams continues to handle the full spectrum of IP matters, including filing, prosecuting, searching, recordal, renewing, licensing, franchising, litigation, and plant breeders’ rights. Kelly Thompson routinely handles trademark and copyright litigation for clients across a range of industries, including major multinationals. Danie Dohmen specialises in patent, design, plant breeders’ rights, and IP agreement litigation, while Russell Bagnall advises on pharmaceutical disputes. Steven Yeates manages trademark selection, registration, and enforcement, Janice Galvad represents international clients, while James Davies, Nishan Singh, Wilhelm Prozesky, and Nthabisheng Phaswana oversee patents, designs, and litigation portfolios. Darren Olivier, Vishen Pillay, Joanne van Harmelen, and Thapelo Mmotong are also names of note in the department.
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Phone
+27 31 536 3740
Email
[email protected]
Profile
adams.africa

Profile

Work Department
Patents
Position

Partner: Patent Attorney - Branch Office Chairperson

Career

Vishen Pillay is a partner in the patent department of Adams & Adams Attorneys, the largest intellectual property (IP) law firm in South Africa. He has a background in electronic engineering (UKZN) and is an admitted attorney as well as a qualified patent attorney.

Having over 19 years of experience in IP (approximately 15 years of post-qualification experience), Vishen specialises in assisting his clients to protect their inventions in the fields of electronics, software, artificial intelligence, quantum communication and computing, radar, telecommunications, mechanical engineering, electro-mechanical engineering, and bio-medical engineering. In particular, he deals with all matters relating to filing and prosecution of patent and design applications in South Africa and abroad, as well as IP strategy.

Vishen has drafted and successfully prosecuted patent and design applications on behalf of many South African Universities, Science Councils, US Fortune 500, and South African Top 100 companies. He currently serves as one of the members of the Management Committee of Adams & Adams and as well as an advisory board member of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO).

Languages
English
Memberships
Memberships:
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) – Member and Co-chair of the Africa Committee
  • International Federation of Patent Agents (FICPI) – Member
  • Legal Practice Council (LPC) – Member
  • South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) – Fellow
  • SAIIPL: Patent & Design Law Committee
  • Southern African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) – Member
Accolades
  • Best Lawyers® – Intellectual Property Law: South Africa | 2021 - 2024
  • IFLR Patent Expert Guide – Experts for Patents | 2019
  • Listed in World Intellectual Property Review – WIPR Leaders: Trade Marks | 2018 – 2024 
  • Ranked “Highly Recommended” in Prosecution by IAM Patent 1000 | 2021 – 2024 
Education
  • Admitted Attorney | 2009
  • Registered Patent Attorney | 2009
  • LLB – University of South Africa | 2008
  • BSc Eng (Elec.) – University of Kwazulu-Natal | 2004

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘What makes this practice truly unique is its unwavering commitment to understanding the nuances of our business needs and delivering tailored, strategic legal solutions that go beyond the expected. Their advice is always open and transparent. The partners that I deal with are not just legal experts, they are trusted advisers and always my go-to experts. Their depth of knowledge relating to IP matters including complex commercial matters is unmatched.'

  • ‘They respond always very quickly, they respond to all our questions and their responses are well founded.'

Key clients

  • Sun International (South Africa) Ltd
  • Monster Energy Corporation and Reign Beverage Company LLC