Top 10 South African Patent Law Firms

These are the top 10 South African patent and trademark law firms:

1. Most efficient and affordable

Sibanda & Zantwijk is the only South African patent law firm that uses online patent, trademark and design filing and renewal systems that integrate directly with the South African Patent Office’s electronic systems. These systems manage applications from filing to grant. Not only do these systems enable S&Z to file applications within minutes, their efficiency also allows S&Z to offer South African national phase and convention patents, trademarks and design registrations at costs lower than any other South African patent firm.

S&Z is the #2 South African patent law firm for filing provisional patents (2019, 2020). In June 2021, S&Z became the third largest South African patent law firm based on the number of patent filings.

S&Z also operates the online trademark filing system – TM Direct.

2. Best for patent litigation

If you have a patent litigation matter, the go-to firms are Adams & Adams and Spoor & Fisher. These firms have been responsible for litigating the most high-profile patent cases in South Africa.

3. Best for trademark litigation

Ron Wheeldon is unique in that he litigates trademark cases himself, without the need (and cost) to engage counsel. Ron used to head up the trademark department of Webber Wentzel Bowens before starting his own firm focussing on trademark litigation. Ron’s command of South African trademark law is unsurpassed.

4. Best for intellectual property commercialisation

S&Z is the only South African patent law firm that offers comprehensive intellectual property commercialisation – covering IP law, tax and exchange controls. S&Z has written many of the intellectual property sections in the South African Income Tax Act, and is the firm engaged by South African regulators as the expert witness in intellectual property litigation. S&Z’s intellectual property valuations and royalty rate determinations are typically accepted by SARS and SARB.

5. Best for drafting chemical inventions

Roy Taberer is highly recommended for drafting chemical patents. He recently left Rademeyer Attorneys and has opened his own firm in Cape Town.

6. Best for franchising

Smit & van Wyk has a division that specialises in franchising. They are based in Pretoria, and are headed up by one of the “gentlemen” of patent law – Wessel van Wyk.

7. Best for DIY online filings by inventors

Iptica offers the only online DIY filing system that is particularly suited to enable South African inventors to: file South African provisional patents, trademarks and designs. Inventors that cannot afford the cost of a patent attorney should give Iptica a try.

8. Best for South African and foreign national phase patent applications

For South African national phase patent filings, we recommend GlobalIPCo – a hybrid online system that is supported by resident patent attorneys. GlobalIPCo also offers the most affordable European regional phase patent filings worldwide. GlobalIPCo’s filing system is integrated with the South African and European Patent Offices’ systems, and the company also licensing its patent management system to other South African patent law firms.

9. Best for drafting electrical inventions

Adelhart Kruger of DM Kisch is highly regarded for drafting electrical patents. Adelhart drafts patents for most of South Africa’s large electronic companies.

10. Best for plant breeders’ rights

For plant breeders’ rights, we recommend David Cochrane of Spoor & Fisher. He has followed South African plant breeders’ law since its inception.