Rouse expands offering in South Africa to provide full-service support for international and domestic clients

• Creates a full-service IP law firm for both international and domestic South Africa businesses
• Expansion builds on Rouse Africa established in 2015
• Principal Waldo Steyn to lead the new IP law firm

London, 12 November 2024 – Rouse, the leading International IP services business, today announces the expansion of its South Africa business to provide full-service support to both international and domestic clients in the country.

The new offering, enabled by the creation of a new Rouse Network law firm in South Africa, will allow the business to provide trademark portfolio, prosecution, enforcement, and litigation services within the South African jurisdiction. Over time, support for Patents and Designs will also be introduced.

Rouse has been advising clients in the Sub-Saharan Africa region for many years but has had a particularly strong presence in the region since 2015 when Rouse Africa was established. With the establishment of the new Network law firm, Rouse can now provide intellectual property services directly in South Africa.

The new IP law firm will be led by South African attorney and veteran of firms in the UK, Middle East, and Africa, Waldo Steyn. Steyn joins Rouse as a Principal from Africa’s largest law firm where, as well as advising on core IP services, he also developed a highly regarded specialism in commercial and transactional IP.

Sara Holder, Rouse’s Head of Corporate Development, said: “This expansion of our services in South Africa not only provides a truly international experience, efficiency, and expertise for our global clients wanting to explore the opportunities the burgeoning African continent can offer, but it also provides access for domestic businesses in the region wanting a seamless entry into overseas markets.

“It continues Rouse’s commitment to provide rightsholders with frictionless, integrated, and commercial IP advice from wherever they are to wherever they want to go.”

Waldo Steyn said: “I am delighted that we will be able to service international clients in my home country as well as supporting successful domestic businesses to make their mark overseas. My initial focus is to establish our core IP support in South Africa and, in time, develop a transactional IP practice with seamless links into the entire Rouse ecosystem.”