What is a Patent?
A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using,
or selling an invention for a limited period in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention.
Patent Registration In South Africa
Register a patent with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to prevent other people from making, using, exercising, disposing of, or importing your invention without your permission.
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. Such an invention must be a product or a process that provides a new way of doing something, or that offers a new technical solution to a problem. Patent protection means that someone else cannot commercially make, use, distribute, or sell your invention without your permission for a limited period of 20 years.
Find out more about patents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or contact CIPC on 086 100 2472.
How long does it take for a patent to be approved in South Africa?
Normally, complete national patent applications and conventional patent applications are approved within 12 to 15 months of the application’s filing date.
After filing the national phase application in South Africa, a PCT national phase patent application is normally granted in 15 to 20 months.
How long is a patent valid in South Africa?
Patent duration in South Africa has a duration of 20 years from date of filing and annual renewal fees are payable from the 3rd anniversary of the filing date.
How much does it cost to register a patent in South Africa?
The cost involved in the drafting and filing of a South African Provisional Patent Application generally amounts to between R16 000 and R25 000, depending on the complexity of the invention.
Drafting of the application includes the preparation of the patent specification and drawings of a legal and technical standard.