These are the top South African patent law firms, according to number of South African provisional patents filed in 2019: Patent firm Provisional patents filed Firm 1 193 S&Z 143 Firm 3 92 Firm 4 68 Firm 5 61 Firm 6 51 Firm 7 37 Firm 8 33 Firm 9 31 Firm 10 21 Firm … Read more
Jul 22nd, 2020These are the top South African patent law firms, according to number of South African patents filed (inclusive of provisional, complete and national phase patents): Patent firm Patents filed Firm 1 2,206 Firm 2 2,088 Firm 3 765 Firm 4 542 Firm 5 489 S&Z 315 Firm 7 162 Firm 8 155 Firm 9 137 … Read more
Jul 22nd, 2020You can file patent, trademark and design applications with CIPC online. CIPC migrated to an electronic filing system a few years back, and all applications are now filed electronically. Applicants may create an account with CIPC and file directly. However, it is much simpler and safer to use CIPC online filing systems developed by GlobalIPCo … Read more
Jul 18th, 2020Generally, you cannot patent: An [existing product] made of [a new material] You can only patent something that is “new” and “inventive”. “Inventive” means that an expert in the field would not consider your substitution of material to be obvious. The best way to explain this is by way of example: Let’s assume that belt … Read more
Jul 11th, 2020You cannot patent “benefits”. A valid product patent needs a “new” and “inventive” feature. In respect of each benefit, ask: What feature did I add to yield that benefit Then query: is that added feature “new”? is adding that feature “inventive” (i.e. not obvious to an expert)? For example: Benefit New feature New? Inventive? Modular … Read more
Jul 4th, 2020We have a full-time employment position available for: a CAD draftsman; a product designer / industrial designer; or a graphic designer / logo designer with 3D CAD skills. The job entails creating 3D CAD models for clients’ inventions, and generating patent and design drawings from these models. About us We are primarily a patent and … Read more
Jun 30th, 2020You can now register South African trade marks quickly and affordably online using TM Direct – an online trade mark registration system operated by S&Z Trade Mark Attorneys. The trade mark process To register a South African trade mark using TM Direct: (optional) Conduct a free identical trade mark on the TM Direct webpage. Register … Read more
Jun 28th, 2020Typically, general lawyers used to refer trademark applications to intellectual property law firms. The reason for this was not because advising on trademarks is difficult – sufficiently to understand trademarks in order to advise thereon is relatively simple, and can be learnt within a couple of hours. General lawyers’ discomfort in extending their services to … Read more
Jun 21st, 2020You cannot patent: An [existing product] not including [something that has been removed] Product patents only protect “new features” you are adding. By focussing on removal of a feature, you’re going in the opposite direction. It may be that the existing product was never offered with the superfluous feature removed therefrom. But, arguing that absence … Read more
Jun 14th, 2020Many inventors try to patent a new power source for electronic products, e.g. a solar powered kettle. To be patentable, your new power source must be “new” and “inventive”. Let’s first consider whether the general concept is “new”: some solar energy farms feed power into the grid, so every kettle that is plugged into the … Read more
Jun 2nd, 2020Protect your Corona Virus face mask, face shield and hand sanitiser by registering patents. But, be clever about how you do it. Covid-19 patents The problem with patents for Corona Virus PPE equipment is that the patent will only become legally enforceable in about 3-4 years from now – considering that there should be a … Read more
May 28th, 2020You cannot patent: An [existing product] for [doing something new] The reason is that product patents focus on “new features” you are adding. And, nothing after “for” is introducing a new feature – it is introducing a new application / use. The simple rule when considering whether your product is “new” (and, therefore, patentable) is … Read more
May 24th, 2020To 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 Visit TM Direct, and click the START button. Register with TM Direct. Registering with TM … Read more
May 16th, 2020Trademarks protect BRANDS under which you trade (e.g. PUMA, KPMG), whereas Patents protect INVENTIONS. You cannot protect your invention by registering a trademark. Patent your invention To protect your invention, your: product must include a new and inventive feature method must include a new and inventive step https://ideanav.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/International-patent-costs-2021.png https://ideanav.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/International-patent-costs-2021.png For instance: Using an UBER-type system … Read more
May 8th, 2020Most companies protect their brand by trade mark registering their name and logo. Our tips when registering names and logos are to: type the name in capital letters, as your trade mark rights will not be case-sensitive; and submit the logo as a Black & White image, as your trade mark rights will extend to … Read more
Apr 30th, 2020