The Importance of a Social Media Policy
Social media has become an indispensable part of communicating and doing business in modern life. The reality is that most employees are likely to use at least one social media platform and have a social media personality that extends outside the parameters of their workplace. Employers are encouraged to have a social media policy in more...
Online advertising – weighing up the risks for brands
Social media can be a highly effective way to increase brand awareness, but only if used properly. The online world is like a double-edged sword. While on the one hand it is very convenient for brands to connect with a world-wide customer base, on the other, it leaves the brand very exposed to criticism and backlas
Commencement of POPI
1st of July 2020 is the date of commencement of the bulk of the remaining sections of POPU. Anyone processing personal information in South Africa will have one year in which to become compliant with the Act.
Social media and the employer-employee relationship
Social media and the employer-employee relationship With the government effectively creating a temporary criminal offence to fight the spread of fake news and misinformation about COVID-19 on social media and online platforms, a lot of questions have arisen relating to employers’ risks when their employees use social media in such a way that the employer more...
Virtual Sports Events
We are slowly emerging from lockdown and the cabin fever is abating. We can leave our homes now, but can only lumber our lonely way about, hoping not to crash into a pole when our glasses fog up from wearing a mask. And we can never, ever, exercise with anyone else. Athletic competition in groups more...
Does the Developer Own that Software I Paid For?
Disputes over ownership of software often cross my desk. The story is almost invariably the same: someone has paid a software developer to write code, and there is no written agreement dealing with who owns that code. Then the developer decides that he owns the code and won’t hand over the source code.
COVID-19 Communications Regulations
On the 26th of March 2020 the Minister of Communications gazetted regulations under the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that digital technologies are used to their fullest extent to assist with combating the COVID-19 outbreak.
Working from Home – Some Legal Concerns
During the current COVID-19 crisis, many employers will have chosen to allow their employees to work from home. While most employers already have a communications policy that regulates how employees use communications infrastructure in the workplace, it is important to bear a few points in mind when many or most employees are working remotely.
Tagging, liking and sharing on social media – can I be held liable?
Anything you share, like or are tagged in on social media may be deemed to show that you agree with what is being said, even though you are not the creator of the original content. Normal legal rules apply to social media too! Case Law You can face legal action for engaging in the so-called more...
Cyber-Crime Insurance – Understanding and Complying with the Fine Print
You have decided to take out insurance against loss due to cyber-crime related activities. But what are your obligations to mitigate loss that may be incurred. Just as you may be required to have an alarm system fitted in your house to comply with your household contents insurance policy. Similarly, it is also important to more...
Electronic contracts – what is the legal status of concluding a contract online or via email and is a person’s signature sufficient to satisfy the requirements of an electronic signature?
Concluding a contract online or by email by means of a data message or using an electronic signature can cause uncertainty in terms of whether the contract is legally enforceable. However, with the introduction of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECT Act), South Africa has recognised the legality of data messages more...
The do’s and don’ts when obtaining legal assistance
We are a niche law firm and offer a specialist service in various areas including ICT Law, Commercial Law, Privacy Law, Civil Litigation, Wills, Trusts and Estates as well as Conveyancing and Notarial Practice. As there are some fields of the law that we do not offer services in, we often provide clients with tips more...