Can you patent your idea? The first question we typically ask is: “Can you, without explaining anything about your product or its application, point to a feature that is new?” “New” means that that feature has not previously been described / illustrated in any way anywhere in the world. For example, if you have developed … Read more
Jun 2nd, 2013It only costs $49 to file a provisional patent online in South Africa through GlobalIPCo and only $99 to file it through Iptica. Use our provisional patent drafting and filing guide. In 12 months time, you can file a PCT / international patent application. Following the PCT search report in 16 months time, you may … Read more
May 30th, 2013Fortunately for inventors, the patent registration process in South Africa is one of the simplest, quickest and cheapest in the world. But, start off by doing your homework properly: search through the online patent databases to check that the feature you have invented is in fact new worldwide. Although you can start by filing a … Read more
May 29th, 2013A PCT / International patent is generally filed 12 months after filing your South African provisional patent application. It can cost as little as R34,000 and reserves your right to file patents in nearly all countries of the world for a further 18 months, i.e. a total of 30 months from the date of filing … Read more
May 27th, 2013Our patent agents / attorneys vet more than five inventions every day. If you are in South Africa – whether in Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Johannesburg – our patent attorneys can assist you. Start by calling us and discussing your idea for free. More than 90% of inventions prove not to be patentable. So, … Read more
May 26th, 2013No place is easier or cheaper for obtaining a patent than South Africa. You can file a South African provisional patent through GlobalIPCo for $49 or through Iptica for $99. This will reserve your patent rights worldwide for a year. See our provisional patent drafting and filing guide. GlobalIPCo also files South African national phase … Read more
May 21st, 2013As 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 $49 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, 2012