As 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
March 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
March 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
July 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
July 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
July 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. New Invention – Filing your First Patent Application But, before contacting a patent attorney, we suggest that you conduct a patent search to identify the features of your invention that … Read more
July 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
June 19th, 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
February 8th, 2012To patent an idea in South Africa is surprisingly affordable and quick. What can you patent? An idea on its own cannot be patented, but the invention behind it can: a new product, process or method that is not obvious to someone working in the field. See what can I patent? Step 1: Check that … Read more
September 16th, 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
June 27th, 2011