Turning an innovative idea into a legally protected invention is an exciting...
Smit & Van Wyk Blog
Welcome to the Smit & Van Wyk blog, where you’ll find a wealth of expert insights and practical information on trademarks, patents, and copyright. Whether you're an entrepreneur, inventor, or creative professional, our articles are here to help you navigate the world of intellectual property with clarity and confidence.
Difference Between Trade Mark Shapes and Design Patents
Businesses often invest significant time and resources into developing...
How to Protect Your Invention and Build Business Value
What would happen if someone copied your invention just as you were preparing...
Who is the Inventor?
The term “inventor” is not explicitly defined in the South African Patents...
Patent Examination and Enforceable Rights in South Africa
South Africa is a non-examining country, which means that patent applications...
Patent Attorneys in South Africa
At Smit & Van Wyk, we are proud to be recognised as leading patent...
Patent Attorneys Qualification Requirements in South Africa
The Patent Attorneys qualification is a statutory qualification under control...
South African Complete Patent
The second step is to file a complete patent application within 12 months of...
Provisional Patent Application
The first step is to file a South African provisional patent application for...
Central African Republic Patents
Central African Republic Patents Intellectual Property Central African...
Cameroon Patents
Cameroon Patents Intellectual Property Cameroon Patents International and...
Burkina Faso Patents
Burkina Faso Patents Intellectual Property Burkina Faso Patents International...
Benin Patents
Benin Patents Intellectual Property Benin Patents International and Regional...
South Sudan
South Sudan Intellectual Property Intellectual Property in South Sudan There...
Sudan
Sudan Intellectual Property Intellectual Property in Sudan Smit & Van...
Patent and Design renewal deadlines in South Africa
Failure to have a thorough understanding of renewal fee deadlines can have...
Why You Should Do a Patent Search Before Applying
It is very important for applicants to do a patent search for similar...
The Stapler Invention
The stapler invention of the 19th century revolutionized office work by making...
Patent Search
The rights of a patent may only be conferred on the inventor if the invention...
What Is a Divisional Patent Application?
A divisional patent application arises when a patent examiner identifies more...
Understanding the Use of the “Patent Pending” Phrase
What Does Patent Pending Mean? The term patent pending indicates that a patent...
Patent Thickets and their Impact on Competition
The term patent thicket describes the complex web of patents that an inventor...
The value of Patent Watch services for Investors
A patent watch is an ongoing process of monitoring newly granted patents to...
What Is a Patent Ambush?
A patent ambush occurs when a member of a standard-setting organization (SSO)...
South Africa Patent Laws
South Africa Patent Laws favour the usage of qualified Patent Attorneys even...
Complete Patent application in South Africa
Obtaining a patent in South Africa involves a two-step process, with the steps...
Patent Applications in South Africa
Registering a new invention is an important step in protecting your...
South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law: SAIIPL
The South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) represents...