Open letter to the Minister of Health on the prevention of use of trade marks on packaging for cigarettes and other products

31st July 2014

Open letter to the Minister of Health on the prevention of use of trade marks on packaging for cigarettes and other products

Photo by: Bloomberg

Dear Dr Motsoaledi,

RE: PREVENTION OF USE OF TRADE MARKS ON PACKAGING FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

I am addressing this letter to you to express serious concerns about the approach that you are adopting to the abovementioned matter. I believe that you ought to be aware of these concerns and should take cognisance of them.

I must begin by commending you on the enthusiasm and positive approach that you have displayed in carrying out your function as the Minister of Health and the custodian of the nation’s health. It is indeed refreshing and salutary to experience a cabinet minister displaying such dedication and conscientiousness to making a success of his portfolio and to pursuing the public interest in his field of responsibility.

Download the full letter above.

Written by Prof Owen Dean from the Chair of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Stellenbosch