Intellectual Property

Insights

Patent Protection

5 Reasons Why You Should Patent Your Idea

5 Reasons Why You Should Patent Your Idea

If you have an idea that you believe could revolutionize an industry or address a pressing problem, it is essential to comprehend why you should patent your idea. Obtaining a patent offers numerous benefits and is a crucial step in protecting your intellectual property. By securing your idea, you...

South African Complete Patent

South African Complete Patent

The second step is to file a complete patent application within 12 months of filing the provisional patent application in South Africa, and/or in each country where you wish to obtain patent protection. The complete patent application will claim a first (or “priority”) date from your provisional...

South African Complete Patent

Provisional Patent Application

The first step is to file a South African provisional patent application for your invention. This is done to obtain the earliest possible date from which to claim rights to your invention – much like an option to protect your invention. Obtaining a patent is a two-step process that is spaced 12...

Central African Republic Patents

Central African Republic Patents

International and Regional Systems: Paris Convention PCT OAPI Member of OAPI, a regional filing system which covers Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and...

Cameroon Patents

Cameroon Patents

International and Regional Systems: Paris Convention PCT OAPI Member of OAPI, a regional filing system which covers Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and...

Burkina Faso Patents

Burkina Faso Patents

International and Regional Systems: Paris Convention PCT OAPI Member of OAPI, a regional filing system which covers Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and...

Benin Patents

Benin Patents

International and Regional Systems: Paris Convention PCT OAPI Member of OAPI, a regional filing system which covers Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and...

South Sudan

South Sudan

There is currently no legislation in terms of Industrial Property in South Sudan and therefore it is not possible to obtain registered trade mark, patent or design rights.

Sudan

Sudan

Smit & Van Wyk assists with the protection of Intellectual Property in Sudan, including the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and plant breeders’ rights. Our team of Intellectual Property attorneys have the knowledge, experience and resources to...

South African Complete Patent

Patent and Design renewal deadlines in South Africa

Failure to have a thorough understanding of renewal fee deadlines can have dire consequences for patentees and design owners. If a renewal fee is not paid within the 6 month grace period after the renewal fee deadline, the patent or design will lapse with a concomitant loss of rights to the...