Registering Patents in other Countries

December 3, 2008
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

If you want to register patents in other countries the best option is to make and International Patent Application.

This can be done under the Patent Co-operation Treaty which allows for the granting of national patents in 133 countries. It came into effect on April 1, 2007 and includes registration in South Africa.

The benefit of this route for registering patents in several countries is that only one application is required. It means tremendous cost and time savings for the applicant. Private individuals residing in South Africa can qualify for up to 75% savings on the official costs when registering patentsin this way.

Another major benefit is that an international search and assessment is prepared by for instance, the European Patent Office free of charge.