The bristled golf tee known as a BRUSH-T, launched in 2000, has been a great commercial success – many golfers have tried it; nearly all are aware of it. A quick search through the patent databases shows various “knock-off” products have been invented, design registered, and patented: And, many of these “copycat products” are on sale: So, … Read more
May 29th, 2017Board game patent registration Very, very few board games can be protected by patents. Whereas, the US accepts patents for “a method of playing a game”, this category is specifically excluded from being patented in most other countries (including South Africa). Tip: don’t waste time and money patenting your board game. Rather focus on trademarks and designs. … Read more
May 16th, 2017What is an “international patent” A PCT patent is often referred to as an “international patent’. However, this is somewhat of a misnomer, as a PCT patent does not become a “patent”. The PCT patent is a step in a patenting process. The patent process Typically, the patenting process includes the following steps: Patent search … Read more
May 7th, 2017Patents, copyright, designs, trademarks – options A software app can be protected by: A registered trademark – typically, this is the most important category of protection. Think: FACEBOOK, GOOGLE. These companies rely primarily on their trademarks to keep competitors at bay. A patent – very few software apps are patentable. For example: a job site for … Read more
Apr 30th, 2017It is time to protect your new clothing brand. You have decided on your “brand” and created your logo. The next step is to identify the trademark classes in which you should register your brand. This can be confusing, but let us help: The clear frontrunner is: Class 25 – Clothing, footwear and headgear. Hopefully, only … Read more
Apr 19th, 2017If you are about to launch a new clothing brand in South Africa: First, check whether you are allowed to use your brand name / logo at a cost of R2,500 plus vat; and Then, file a South African trademark to protect your brand name / logo at a cost of R4,090 plus vat. We … Read more
Apr 17th, 2017Are you a software developer? Do you wish to become a patent attorney? If so, we would love you to join our team. You must have: a BSc in computer science. Software development experience is a bonus, but not required. Age: You will need to be relatively young and to have few commitments if you wish … Read more
Apr 17th, 2017IdeaNav is proud to be associated with CellC Reality’s HangMan online game show for inventors: If you have an invention and are itching for an opportunity to pitch it to a panel of investors, enter now! Entries close on 21 July 2017. To enter: download the CellC Reality (HangMan) app from the Apple or Android … Read more
Jan 21st, 2017Requirements: Undergraduate science (preferably, engineering) degree only. For more information on the requirements to qualify as a patent attorney, click here. Age: Before 2019, most firms took on candidate patent attorneys who recently completed their undergraduate degree. However, with the new Legal Practice Act, most candidate patent attorneys will likely need to join patent firms … Read more
Aug 22nd, 2016Position available: None Undergraduate degree Most South African patent firms require candidate patent attorneys to have an undergraduate degree in engineering from Wits, UCT, SU, UJ or UP – candidates with technikon / BTech degrees are seldom selected. We favour software developers and engineers with mechanical or electrical university degrees. Whereas, an MSc or Pr.Eng. … Read more
Aug 22nd, 2016On 1 September 2017, IdeaNav launched a new service to assist applicants to deposit an application / renew a patent with the SA IP Office. Normally, you would need to: create an account with the IP office; wait for the account to be vetted and opened; and deposit funds into the account, before depositing your … Read more
Aug 31st, 2015Many years ago, a patent attorney mentioned that he’d just filed a patent for a box containing the following combination of known features: no. 11 spanner; 4mm Allen key; and short Philips screw driver. His justifications being that: (i) no prior box ever contained only this combination of tools; and (ii) this set of tools … Read more
Jan 10th, 2015It’s not easy to protect a new food recipe. How can patents, design registrations and trademarks help? Trademark Let’s take the McDonald’s Big Mac burger. The name BIG MAC is a registered trademark. So, no-one can use a mark confusingly similar to BIG MAC when referring to foodstuff. But, McDonald’s trademark cannot prevent others from … Read more
Jan 6th, 2015Business method patent It is difficult to protect a business idea. The South African Patents Act specifically excludes “a method of doing business” from being patented. Below are examples of business methods that cannot be protected by patents: a new restaurant specialising in Dutch / Austrian fusion cuisine; a new bar in Sandton that serves … Read more
Jan 2nd, 2015We are always surprised at how many people spend so much money filing software patents that are invalid. For helpful tips on protecting Software Apps, see Iptica’s website ‐ get Patent, Design and Trademark Pending Numbers for only US$99. Also see our easy DIY provisional patent drafting and filing guide. Software patents in South Africa … Read more
Dec 29th, 2014