South African patent statistics 2024
Types of patents
In 2024, South Africa had 33 active patent firms that filed 10,042 patents, comprising 1,143 provisional patents and 8,899 complete patents.
Fields of technology
Of the complete patents, more than half were filed in the fields of:
- Pharmaceuticals (just over 25%)
- Computer technology
- Chemical engineering
- Mechanical engineering machines
- Civil engineering
- Biotechnology
Patent law firms
60% of South African patents were filed by:
| Sibanda & Zantwijk (S&Z) |
| Adams & Adams |
| Spoor & fisher |
30% of South African patents were filed by:
| von Seidels |
| Wolmarans & Susan |
| DM Kisch |
| Hahn & Hahn |
| Bredenkamp |
| Dr Gerntholtz |
| Brian Bacon |
| Rademeyer |
| Edward Nathan Sonnenberg |
| Smit & van Wyk |
| Kisch |
| Taberer |
| Dennemeyer |
| PFT Burger |
| Deon De Beer |
| De Beer |
And, about 10% of South African patents were filed by:
| Tshaya Mashabela |
| Dessington & Dessington |
| Steyn |
| AJ Rabie |
| Gunter |
| Galgut & Galgut |
| Bouwers |
| Myers |
| Richards |
| de Chalains |
| DT Du Preez |
| Eversheds Sutherland |
| Stegmanns |
| Margo |
| Webber Wentzel |
Note: Firms without patent attorneys have been excluded.
Summary of South African patent costs
The fixed pricing of the firm that filed most South African patents (2022-2024) is:
| Description | Cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Filing South African patent (filing to courier of certificate) | $475 |
| Pre-grant amendment | $250 |
| Pre-payment of all South African patent renewals for 20 years | $385 |
| Payment of South African patent renewal (1 year) | $40 |
| Late-lodging documents, requesting 3 month extension to enter national phase, requesting accelerated acceptance | Free |
Online option
South African patents may also be filed online, with renewals “paid to term” through the GlobalIPCo system (+3,000 registered users).