How to protect your invention using AI
AI has made it incredibly easy for inventors to protect their invention at very low cost … and in less than one hour.
This is how to do it in 3 easy steps:
Step 1: Conduct a patent search
Estimated time: 15 minutes
1. Go to ChatGPT
2. Type “Please help me conduct a patent prior art search”
3. Enter the following (as a single query):
Type of invention: [Software / Hardware / AI / Mechanical / Chemical, etc.]
What problem does it solve? [Describe problem, e.g. a ring that is difficult to remove from one’s finger.]
What makes it different from existing solutions? [Rings are known. Teflon is also known as a low-friction material. The invention relates to providing a Teflon layer on the radial inner surface of the ring. This Teflon layer is in contact with the finger (when worn) and enables the ring to be removed from the finger more easily.]
Sadly, you will notice that ChatGPT found prior art that destroys my patent dream. Nevertheless, let’s continue …
Step 2: Draft a provisional patent
Estimated time: 20 minutes
1. (in ChatGPT) Type: “Please help me draft a provisional patent”
2. Enter the following (as a single query) – this is similar to the query previously submitted, but clarifies that you wish to draft a provisional patent:
Type of invention: [Software / Hardware / AI / Mechanical / Chemical, etc.]
What problem does it solve? [Describe problem, e.g. a ring that is difficult to remove from one’s finger.]
What makes it different from existing solutions? [Rings are known. Teflon is also known as a low-friction material. The invention relates to providing a Teflon layer on the radial inner surface of the ring. This Teflon layer is in contact with the finger (when worn) and enables the ring to be removed from the finger more easily.]
Type of patent: Provisional patent
4. Prepare drawings (as suggested by ChatGPT).
Note: You may include CAD drawings, hand sketches and photos. There is no specific format for the drawings.
Step 3: File a provisional patent
Estimated time: 10 minutes
1. Go to GlobalIPCo and register an account
Note: GlobalIPCo does not charge anything to create an account. GlobalIPCo only charges when you submit an instruction to file a provisional patent.
A good alternative to GlobalIPCo is Iptica.
2. Log into GlobalIPco and select: South Africa – Patent – Provisional
3. Add the patent title, the applicant’s name and address, the inventor’s name and country
4. Download pre-populated forms for signature
5. Upload the patent specification drafted by ChatGPT and the signed forms
6. Pay $49 by credit card to instruct filing
The GlobalIPCo will file the provisional patent application and send you a provisional patent number within 1 business day of filing. This will entitle you to claim “Patent Pending” worldwide for 12 months and to freely disclose your invention. In 12 months’ time, you should file a complete patent that claims the date of your provisional patent.
Total Estimated time: 45 minutes
Total cost: $49
Let’s get started!
FAQs
In which country must I reside to use the GlobalIPCo system? The GlobalIPCo system is available to inventors all over the world. If your country imposes special requirements (e.g. the US, which requires US inventors to obtain a foreign filing licence), the GlobalIPCo system will display an alert.
In which country is the provisional patent valid? The provisional patent is valid worldwide. It gives priority rights in all +170 Paris Convention countries:
Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, D.R. Congo, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, S. Korea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Does filing a provisional patent through GlobalIPCo restrict me later when filing a complete patent? No, your complete patent may be prepared by any patent attorney and filed in any Patent Office. The country in which you filed your provisional patent does not restrict your future patent options in any way.
Why file the provisional patent in South Africa? The South African Patent Office is one of the cheapest patent offices worldwide to file a provisional patent. It has also implemented a fully electronic system for filing and processing provisional patents.
Is my provisional patent ever published? No, your provisional patent will not be published by the Patent Office. The invention will only be made public if you disclose it yourself or if you file a complete patent, which is, in time, published.
What happens if I do not file a complete patent in 12 months’ time? Your priority patent rights will lapse. However, if you have kept the invention secret, you can always re-start the 12 month clock by filing another provisional patent. During the 12-month period you may wish to disclose your invention under a good NDA. We really like the Free NDA provided by Iptica.
How reliable is GlobalIPCo? GlobalIPCo was the #1 filer of South African patents in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2024 and 2025. It is trusted by hundreds of patent applicants worldwide to file patents. South Africa’s top patent filing firm S&Z is responsible for filing all GlobalIPCo South African patents. You can trust GlobalIPCo.