Here 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, 2025Instead of filing a South African patent or trademark through a South African law firm, you can easily file through any of these online systems: Option 1 – GlobalIPCo – Best for foreign law firms The GlobalIPCo system focusses on foreign law firms, enabling them to file South African patents and trademarks online at significantly … Read more
Dec 5th, 2025There are many ways to pay a South African patent or trademark renewal, as South African law does not require applicants to pay patent and trademark annuities through the firm that filed the trademark – you are free to use any of these 5 option: Option 1 – Simplest (Vicennial Renewal) If the patent was … Read more
Nov 27th, 2025About the GlobalIPCo system GlobalIPCo is an intellectual property (IP) management system that focusses on African countries, filing about 5,000 applications per year for +3,000 registered users (including +130 Chinese law firms). The GlobalIPCo system includes the following modules: Module Description Client-side user interface Used by clients to: upload cases; and instruct filing, publication, responses … Read more
Nov 16th, 2025Types 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 … Read more
Nov 15th, 2025African filings benefiting from automation African patent and trademark filings are increasing due to a significant reduction in cost since 2021, largely due to online systems (primarily, the GlobalIPCo system extending across Africa. Firms associated with the GlobalIPCo management system (primarily, S&Z in South Africa, Crown & Shields and A MPECK in Cameroon) have also … Read more
Nov 9th, 2025Tip 1 – check whether your brand is registrable Don’t commit to a brand only to find out in a year”s time that you won’t be able to register / use it. First do a search. S&Z provides a free identical trademark search tool. Tip 2 – start by protecting only the basics Although, you … Read more
Nov 5th, 2025