South Africa: Patent

Patents in South Africa protect inventions that meet the criteria of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Applications are submitted to the CIPC:

• The term of the patent is 20 years from the filing date, subject to the annual payment of maintenance fees.
• Applicants must submit a detailed description, claims, and technical drawings, if necessary.
• The examination is primarily formal, although a substantive re-examination is possible.
• South Africa's accession to the PCT allows foreign applicants to file an international application and enter the national phase locally.

Once granted, the patent holder obtains exclusive rights to exploit the invention in the country and may take legal or administrative action in the event of infringement.