Protect your Brand with TM Direct

To protect your brand, you should register a South African trademark.

An option is to register a trademark online with TM Direct – a trademark registration system operated by S&Z Trademark Attorneys.

How to file a trademark using TM Direct

1. Visit TM Direct, and click the START button.

2. Register with TM Direct.
   Registering with TM Direct imposes no obligation on you. There is no cost unless you complete a trademark application.

3. (suggested) After registering, complete your Profile.
   This will assist S&Z to communicate with you.

4. Enter your Word mark, or upload your Logo.
   Tips: Type the Word mark in capital letters to ensure that your trademark rights are not case-sensitive, and upload your logo in black and white to cover all colour combinations.

5. Enter the applicant name and physical address.
   The applicant can be a natural person, a company or a trust.

6. Enter priority details.
   South African applicants will likely not claim priority. Priority is only claimed if: your first trademark was filed within the last 6 months in another country; and you wish to claim the date of that earlier application.

7. Select class(es) in which your trademark will be used.
   For example, software Apps should be filed in class 9 (downloadable software), whereas “software as a service” should be filed in class 42.

8. Download and sign a Power of Attorney.
   You don’t need to add anything to the Power of Attorney – it’s pre-completed. Just sign.

9. Upload a scanned copy of the signed Power of Attorney.
   We do not require the original signed form to be couriered to us.

10. Pay the filing fee by credit card.

TM Direct will file your trademark application with the South African Trademarks Office and send you an application number within a couple of business days.

Thereafter, keep track of the status of your trademark application via your online portfolio. Status changes will also be communicated to you by email, and all instructions are effected via your online portfolio.

How long with registration take?

Registration typically takes two years from filing. During this period:

• the Trademarks Office may issue an office action (which S&Z Trademark Attorneys will respond to);
• acceptance of your trademark must be published (which S&Z Trademark Attorneys will arrange); and
• your trademark application will be open for opposition for a period of 3 months.

After registration, you may request S&Z Trademark Attorneys to courier the registration certificate to you. Thereafter, your trademark must be renewed every 10 years to maintain your trademark in force.

TM Direct costs

The costs to register a trademark through TM Direct are:

• Filing cost: R3,450 plus vat
• Reporting issuance of an office action (with opinion) (if any): Free
• Responding to an office action (if any): from R2,000
• Publication of acceptance: R1,000 plus vat
• Courier of registration certificate (optional): R1,500 plus vat

Special packages available to general attorneys

General attorneys can access special packages that will enable them professionally to provide trademark services to clients at very competitive rates. Just register and tick the “Attorney” tick box, and S&Z Trademark Attorneys will contact you with further information.