OPTIONS Traditional option: Email the required information and documents to us, and we will prepare: forms for signature; and the application for filing. Cost: US$475. Online option: Register with GlobalIPCo, complete the application form, download documents for signature and file the application. Filing cost: US$399 (discount available for law firms), Registration cost: US$70, (optional) Courier … Read more
Dec 26th, 2020Protect your App using a combination of Patents, Trademarks and Designs. But because apps typically have a short “life”, patents will not have the effect you expected. App protection using Patents Considering that it will typically take 4 years to secure enforceable patent rights, granted patent rights are seldom used to “protect” apps. Don’t get … Read more
Nov 10th, 2020Yes, general lawyers may file a provisional patent in South Africa, provided they file the application through GlobalIPCo’s provisional patent filing system. Must a patent attorney not lodge the provisional patent application with CIPC? South African patent law permits: an applicant to file his own provisional patent application directly with CIPC; or to lodge the … Read more
Nov 3rd, 2020Many products are marked “Patent Pending”, but what does this mean? The answer isn’t simple, as there are various possible meanings: Meaning 1: The owner intends to secure granted complete patents and enforce his patent rights against copycats The owner has filed a patent application (likely a provisional patent application) with the aim ultimately to … Read more
Oct 27th, 2020These days, restaurants must do something different to attract customers. Just being an “Italian restaurant” with the “best, authentic Italian pizzas” doesn’t cut it. Restaurants must do more. They must intrigue customers to dine. But lure them with what? How about Patents? “Try our Pizza with Patent Pending thin-crisp base” “Taste our Patent Pending truffle-infused … Read more
Oct 20th, 2020Basically, “Patents” are for protection and “Patent Pending Numbers” are for marketing and deterrence. What is the difference between a Patent and a Patent Pending Number? “Patents” are typically complete patents, drafted by a patent attorney and prosecuted to grant in countries in which patent protection is required. Once granted, the Patent is enforceable against … Read more
Oct 13th, 2020If you have an idea, you cannot just send a company an email and offer to sell it to them. First, you need something to sell No-one buys “ideas” or “concepts”. But, companies do buy patents and designs. You must convert your idea to an “asset” that can be sold. Without a patent or design, … Read more
Oct 6th, 2020The cost to prototype your idea depends on the prototype you wish to create. We can assist you to: conceptualise your idea; create a 3D CAD model of your product; create a functional prototype – whether 3D printed or made of sheet metal; generate photorealistic posters showcasing your product; create videos explaining your product; and … Read more
Sep 30th, 2020It is difficult to protect a Business Method using patents. The reason is that Business Methods are specifically excluded from being patented. But, this did not stop Discovery from trying to patent its Vitality concept, Life Insurance and Car Insurance offerings. What Discovery Vitality did was to file a South African provisional patent application for … Read more
Sep 24th, 2020Most people are under the impression that their trademark will be registered shortly after filing. Unfortunately, this is not the case and the typical timeline for an unopposed trademark is set out below. Filing Within 1-3 business days of filing your trademark, you will receive confirmation of filing from the Trademarks Office. This filing receipt … Read more
Sep 17th, 2020There are many ways to protect your food recipes – get a patent pending number to protect the unique combination of ingredients; protect the new cooking method; protect how the food is prepared (e.g. how meat is tenderised or how tuna is cut). The Iptica Patent Cookbook provides hundreds of examples of patents that protect … Read more
Sep 10th, 2020There is no such thing as a “Free Patent” – that’s one of the patent fallacies. The closest you will get to a Free Patent is to file a provisional patent online. This is available to most people, irrespective where you live – UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa … Online Patent Filing System The GlobalIPCo … Read more
Sep 3rd, 2020You can patent: a “new feature” you are adding to a product or board game; a “new step” in a business method or software App; and a “new formulation” or “new cooking method” for a food product, if they are not “obvious”. Can I get a Patent Pending Number if I have questions about inventiveness … Read more
Aug 27th, 2020Most people are able to “patent” their idea; and most should patent their idea; but the reason for patenting will definitely surprise you. Traditionally, inventors thought they should patent their ideas for “protection“, with the ultimate aim to take competitors to Court and sue them for patent infringement. But this is only one of the … Read more
Aug 20th, 2020Inventions can be protected by patents, designs and trademarks. To decide which form of protection is relevant, ask: Does my invention comprise: A new use of an existing thing In itself, this is not patentable. Spend time coming up with a “new feature” that makes the existing thing more suited to its new use, then … Read more
Aug 13th, 2020