The Zipper Invention
April 24, 2012
Intellectual Property News, Inventions, Patents
In 1917 Electrical engineer Gideon Sundback invented the zipper. He was born on 24 April 1880. When he finished his studies in Sweden, he moved to Germany and studied at the polytechnic school in Bingen am Rhein where he took his engineer exam. In 1905 Gideon Sundback emigrated to the United States.
Gideon Sundback worked on the development of the zipper between 1906 and 1914. He finally solved a pulling-apart problem with his invention of the first version of the “Hookless Fastener No. 1″. His invention had two facing rows of teeth that pulled into a single piece by the slider, and increased the opening for the teeth guided by the slider. In 1914 Gideon Sundback developed a version based on interlocking teeth, the “Hookless No. 2“, which was the modern metal zipper as we know it.
The name zipper was created in 1923 by B.F. Goodrich. During that time, boots and tobacco pouches were the primary use for zippers. At the time of World War II the zipper was accepted for fashion on the flies of trousers and the plackets of skirts and dresses. Gideon Sundback also invented the manufacturing machine for the zipper.
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Paris Convention
March 7, 2012
Intellectual Property Information, Intellectual Property News
The Paris Convention applies to patents, marks, industrial designs, utility models, trade names, geographical indications and the repression of unfair competition. The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed in Paris, France, on March 20, 1883, and was one of the first intellectual property treaties.
The Paris Convention established a Union for the protection of industrial property. The Convention is still in force. As of December 2011, the Paris Convention has 174 contracting member states,which makes it one of the most widely adopted treaties worldwide.
Paris Convention Member States from Africa:
Algeria – Angola – Benin – Botswana – Burkina Faso – Burundi – Cameroon – Central African Republic – Chad – Comoros – Congo – Côte d’Ivoire – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Djibouti – Egypt – Equatorial Guinea – Gabon – Gambia – Ghana – Guinea – Guinea-Bissau – Kenya – Lesotho – Liberia – Libya – Madagascar – Malawi – Mali – Mauritania – Mauritius – Morocco – Mozambique – Namibia – Niger – Nigeria – Rwanda – Sao Tome and Principe – Senegal – Seychelles – Sierra Leone – South Africa – Sudan – Swaziland – Togo – Tanzania – Tunisia – Uganda – Zambia – Zimbabwe
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CIPC | Companies and Intellectual Property Commission
February 27, 2012
Intellectual Property Information, Intellectual Property News
Notification from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC):
The newly formed Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) was established through the amalgamation of the Office of Companies and Intellectual Property Enforcement (OCIPE) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO).
All previous CIPRO customers have to verify and update their customer details with the new CIPC.
If you are an existing CIPRO customer verify all details on the CIPC website when you log in for the first time. If you are a new customer, you will have to register with CIPC.
The new CIPC website:
www.cipc.co.za
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Patent Lawyers AFRICA
February 23, 2012
Attorneys, Intellectual Property Information, Intellectual Property News, Inventions, Patents, Trade Marks ™ ®
Smit & Van Wyk, Inc. is an intellectual property law firm that specialize in obtaining and protecting your patent, trademark and design rights. Our focus is to provide legal services for intellectual property such as patents, trademarks and designs throughout Africa.
Our specialist patent and trademark lawyers serve international and local clients with patent filings and maintenance, and trademark registrations and renewals. We also provide legal advice on commercial rights attached to patents, trademarks and designs.
Our intellectual property services include:
PATENTS
Inventions : Biotechnology | Business Methods | Electrical | Electronic | Mechanical | Mining | Nanotechnology | Software
Patent applications, filings and registrations
Patent novelty search
Patent maintenance and renewals
Patent licensing
REGISTERED DESIGNS
Designs : Aesthetic | Functional | Industrial | Interaction | Patterns | Products
Design applications, filings and registrations
Design novelty search
Design maintenance and renewals
Design licensing
TRADEMARK
Marks : Combinations | Colors | Letters | Logos | Names | Numbers | Packaging | Shapes | Slogans
Trademark registrations
Trademark novelty search
Trademark maintenance and renewals
Trademark licensing
COPYRIGHT
Works : Books | Blogs | Broadcasts | Films | Novels | Photographs | Poems | Software Codes | Songs | Sounds
Copyright film registrations, U.S registrations
Copyright licensing
Smit & Van Wyk, Inc. also created an additional website with all the necessary information regarding intellectual property for all African countries. Here you can get information regarding the international treaties and member states, intellectual property offices, patent applications, design applications, trademark registrations, requirements and dates, as well as an in depth look at each country’s problems and infrastructure.
You can visit the international website here:
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Patent Renewals & Fees
February 1, 2012
Intellectual Property News
Based on your South African provisional patent application, you will have 12 months in which to file a complete patent application.
A 3 month extension period beyond the 12 month deadline is available in South Africa only for filing a South African complete patent application. This is not available in other countries.
Failure to file a complete patent application within the set deadlines may result in your patent rights being forfeited.
Once a patent has been granted, annual renewal fees are payable. A patent will lapse if the renewal fees are not paid.
Patent rights are only valid for 20 years and subject to renewal fees payment.
Patent renewal fees must be paid starting from the 3rd year after the complete application was filed to keep the patent in force.
Smit & van Wyk, Inc. patent attorneys services include annual patent renewal payment reminders and administration.
Tel:
(+27) 012 349 7800
E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za
Physical Address
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa
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