Laws
Treaties
Judgments
Browse By Jurisdiction
South African Geographical Names Council Act 1998 (Act No. 118 of 1998), South Africa
Back
Latest Version in WIPO Lex
Year of Version
1998
Dates
Adopted:
December 2, 1998
Type of Text
IP-related Laws
Subject Matter
Geographical Indications,
IP Regulatory Body,
Other
Notes
The purpose of this Act is to establish the South African Geographical Names Council which, inter alia, ensures the standardization of geographical names and their implementation in South Africa, facilitates the process of their transformation, promotes their use at international level, and awareness of the economic and social benefits of their standardization (Section 2).
Section 9(1) provides that the Council will, inter alia, receive proposed geographical names and recommend them to the Minister for approval, advise him on the standardization of new or existing geographical names, the modifications of geographical names and their orthography as well as liaise with national and international organizations and other cultural, historical or linguistic organizations.
Section 10 of the Act refers to the approval, revision or rejection of geographical names by the Minister. Among others, Section 10(3) states: 'Any person or body dissatisfied with a geographical name approved by the Minister may, within one month from the date of publication of the geographical name in the Gazette, lodge a complaint in writing to the Minister.'
Section 13 of this Act stipulates that it takes effect on a date determined by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
Available Texts
Main text(s)
Main text(s)
English
South African Geographical Names Council Act 1998 (Act No. 118 of 1998)
PDF
HTML
WIPO Lex No.
ZA094