South Africa: Designs

Industrial designs in South Africa safeguard the novel aesthetic features of articles. Applications must be lodged with the CIPC.

• Applicants provide representations of the design and pay associated fees.

• Designs can be registered as aesthetic or functional. Aesthetic designs have an initial term of 5 years, renewable up to a total of 15 years; functional designs have a total possible term of 10 years.

• Applicants must supply detailed information about the owner to facilitate correct registration.

The owner of a registered design can prevent the manufacture, import, or sale of products reproducing or imitating the protected design without authorization.