[S. 14 amended by s. 2 of Act 39 of 1952 and by s. 1 of Act 55 of 1967, substituted by s. 2 of Act 54 of 1987, amended by s. 1 of Act 49 of 1996 and substituted by s. 10 of Act 38 of 1997.] 15. Use of certain marks may be prohibited (1) The Minister may, after such investigation as he or she may think fit, by notice in the Gazette, prohibit either absolutely or conditionally the use of(a) the National Flag, or any former National Flag, of the Republic; or (b) any mark, word, letter or figure or any arrangement or combination thereof, in connection with any trade, business, profession, occupation or event, or in connection with a trade mark, mark or trade description applied to goods. [Sub-s. (1) substituted by s. 11 of Act 38 of 1997.] 15A. (2) The Minister may, if he is satisfied that the circumstances require it, by notice in the Gazette, withdraw, amend or qualify any notice issued in terms of subsection (1). (3) Any person who contravenes any such absolute prohibition or fails to comply with any condition prescribed in any such notice shall be guilty of an offence. Abuse of trade mark in relation to event (1) (a) (b) The Minister may, after investigation and proper consultation and subject to such conditions as may be appropriate in the circumstances, by notice in the Gazette designate an event as a protected event and in that notice stipulate the date(i) with effect from which the protection commences; and (ii) on which the protection ends, which date may not be later than one month after the completion or termination of the event. The Minister may not designate an event as a protected event unless the staging of the event is in the public interest and the Minister is satisfied that the organisers have created sufficient opportunities for small businesses and in particular those of the previously disadvantaged communities. (2) For the period during which an event is protected, no person may use a trade mark in relation to such event in a manner which is calculated to achieve publicity for that trade mark and thereby to derive special promotional benefit from the event, without the prior authority of the organiser of such event. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the use of a trade mark includes-