Over the past week, Nano Banana has improved its ability to create patent drawings. You can now simply ask “Get patent drawings for the GlobalIPCo system”. As some background: GlobalIPCo is the top online system for African patents, integrating as much as possible with the IP office in which it files. Nano Banana goes off, … Read more
Apr 4th, 2026GlobalIPCo tested various AI options to create patent drawings, in particular South African provisional patent drawings. Many of the AI options, such as ChatGPT, were disappointing, Whereas, ChatGPT is brilliant for drafting very good patent specifications, it is terrible at creating patent drawings. To create really good patent drawings using AI, try Nano Banana. To … Read more
Apr 3rd, 2026In 2026, GlobalIPCo began assisting inventors to use AI to draft and file South African provisional patents. The result: comparing Q1 2025 with Q1 2026, GlobalIPCo increased its South African provisional patent filings by nearly 300% – making GlobalIPCo the top filer of South African provisional patents for Q1 2026. How GlobalIPCo assists inventors to … Read more
Mar 28th, 2026During the first quarter of 2026, SANi combination patents drove more than 100 Nigerian patents per month. The SANi combination patent is the best patent option for Africa. Let’s compare it to ARIPO and OAPI patents: African GDP covered by a SANi patent The SANi combination patent covers 44% of sub-Sahara African GDP – greater … Read more
Mar 23rd, 2026Need a patent quickly? A patent you can file within an hour or two? Want a patent number within one business day? Your best option is a Provisional Patent. Why file a provisional patent? A provisional patent is easy, quick and cheap to file. You don’t need a patent attorney to draft the patent. You … Read more
Mar 15th, 2026During the period March 2025 to January 2026, European applicants have consistently filed more patents in South Africa than US patent applicants. 30% more. As expected, Chinese applicants file the most South African patents – nearly twice the number of patents filed by US applicants. The US has lost its position as the top filer … Read more
Mar 14th, 2026Here are easy steps that inventors can follow to get a provisional patent and start the patent process: Why start with a provisional patent? Coming up with the invention is the first step. The next steps involve speaking to experts, creating a prototype; and confirming what the market wants. Only after taking these next steps … Read more
Jan 28th, 2026AI 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 … Read more
Jan 22nd, 2026Before using AI to draft your patent, it is best to conduct a prior art patent search. This is how you can easily do it in 3 easy steps using AI: Go to ChatGPT Type “please help me conduct a patent prior art search“ Copy the following with details of your invention (in place of … Read more
Jan 19th, 2026Step 1: Go to ChatGPT. It is free and surprisingly good at drafting patents – easily and within minutes. Tip: Before starting to draft your provisional patent using AI, consider conducting a patent search using AI. Step 2: Type “please help me write a provisional patent“. Step 3: Copy the following with details of your … Read more
Jan 18th, 2026The Nigerian Patents Act and Rules According to sections 7 and 8 of the Nigerian Patents and Designs Act (Chapter 344, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990): 7 (1) Subject to this Act, a patent shall expire at the end of the twentieth year from the date of the filing of the relevant patent … Read more
Jan 13th, 2026The SANi combination trademark covers South Africa and Nigeria, which account for 44% of sub-Sahara African GDP. An OAPI regional trademark covers 17 African countries (including Mali, Cameroon and Senegal), which account for 18% of sub-Sahara African population. Together, the SANi combination trademark and the OAPI regional trademark account for:⭕ 60% of sub-Sahara African GDP; … Read more
Jan 10th, 2026Since 2008 the number of published PCT patent applications filed by South African applicants has steadily decreased by 64%. Why? ⭕ Many South African multinational / technology-focussed companies moved offshore (whether for commercial, tax or exchange control considerations). ⭕ South African multinational companies reduced their R&D budget. ⭕ Universities’ funding was redirected to other initiatives … Read more
Jan 2nd, 2026After declining since 2008 and plunging since 2020, the number of South African provisional patent filings has finally returned to pre-COVID levels … due to AI? Although, the number of South African provisional patents increased by 74% in 2025, the number of provisional patents drafted and filed by South African patent attorneys only increased by … Read more
Dec 30th, 2025You have a great idea. This is what you should do: Tip 1 – Protect your secret information with a good NDA There are many things to do before starting the patent process – patent search, design, prototyping. During this early stage, ensure that people you disclose your confidential information to have signed a good … Read more
Dec 18th, 2025