As a first time inventor wishing to file a patent application, how do you choose from all the patent lawyers? The best way is to find out what his previous clients had to say. Was the standard of service high? The work efficient? The fee reasonable? Especially where a service is being offered at an … Read more
Mar 16th, 2013Patent registration in South African is affordable and easy. A South African provisional patent costs only $199 through GlobalIPCo and $99 through Iptica. See our provisional patent drafting and filing guide. In 12 months time, consider filing a PCT patent to reserve your patent rights internationally. If you are a foreigner selecting countries in which … Read more
Mar 2nd, 2013As patent attorney, we interact with many inventors from Cape Town – many of them associated with the wine industry. Some of the more exciting inventions originating in Cape Town relate to fermentation techniques or techniques to remove alcohol from wines. However, more frequently, the inventions relate to recipes. The problem with recipes is that, … Read more
Mar 2nd, 2013Do you often come up with ideas that are “the next best thing since sliced bread” and then wonder “how to patent my idea”? If so, you are likely a serial inventor. If you are a serial inventor, beware not to fall blindly in love with your idea at an early stage. Step back from … Read more
Mar 1st, 2013Our free template confidentiality agreements have been upgraded. To conclude a non-disclosure agreement, you now need only to: select one of our 10 template NDAs; complete the NDA online; print; and sign it! Alternatively, customise your free NDA using Iptica’s SuperNDA For inventors who wish to engage an engineer or designer to evaluate and/or develop … Read more
Jul 28th, 2012IdeaNav’s online patent renewal tool will save you up to 70% on patent renewals / annuities / maintenance fees! Why use us to renew your patent? cost savings of up to 70% easy migration – enter your patent number, the software extracts the data displays your patent to confirm the correct patent number adds your … Read more
Jul 25th, 2012[gtrans] National phase patent applications – where to file? This is a dilemma faced by applicants during the PCT national phase entry, 30 months after the priority date of the PCT patent application. Firstly, you must decide whether to focus on countries of manufacture or countries of sale. Typically, it is best to focus national … Read more
Jul 20th, 2012To register a patent in South Africa is surprisingly simple, quick and affordable. That’s why S&Z files more than 500 South African patents per month. South African PCT National Phase Patent Application South African national phase patent applications may be filed online through GlobalIPCo for only US$399. Alternatively, instruct us to file, prosecute South African … Read more
Jul 18th, 2012Exchange Controls were amended on 8 June 2012 to prevent the assignment of intellectual property by a South African “resident” to a foreigner without the consent of the South African Reserve Bank. The cession of patents as security in favour of foreigners is similarly restricted. This amendment drags us back to the position that existed … Read more
Jun 19th, 2012If you are negotiating a license for your intellectual property, have a look at our licensing term sheet. It channels your negotiation ensuring that you consider all relevant issues. Should you start to flounder, read the associated tips and articles. This should get you back on track. If you are still uncertain, click on the … Read more
Feb 8th, 2012You cannot copyright an “idea” in South Africa or elsewhere. Copyright does not arise when you have the “idea”. You must first reduce that “idea” to a “material form” (e.g. write it down, draw it, record it), and it is that material form (otherwise known as a “work”) that is protected by copyright. Copyright only … Read more
Feb 8th, 2012To patent an idea in South Africa is surprisingly affordable and quick. You can file a South African provisional patent application online for only $199 through GlobalIPCo or $99 through Iptica. Use our provisional patent drafting and filing guide. See our article summarising patent costs. (*Estimated costs) After filing your provisional patent application, you can … Read more
Sep 16th, 2011The executive of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) has been decimated. They left it to Ela Romanowska – one of the last remaining members of the “old guard” – to switch off the lights. After a purge as exciting as that which followed Polokwane, the dust is finally settling around the behemoth of South African … Read more
Jun 28th, 2011Unless you bought one from Iluba. JJ Viljoen, the managing director of one of our clients, Iluba gave us a bunch of Iluba preserved roses more than two years ago. With the occasional dusting, we continue successfully to pass them off as “fresh”. This technology really works. However, the secret behind Iluba’s success is not … Read more
Jun 27th, 2011