| Step 1. Conduct a patent search:
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To identify the features of your invention that may be patented. Our professional patent search package includes a worldwide patent search report, copies of relevant documents and our opinion on patentability. Cost: R3,950 plus vat. See our patent tools website.
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| Step 2. Create a "funding" prototype:
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To enable you and others properly to evaluate your invention. Our comprehensive prototyping package includes concept sketches, 3D CAD drawings, a prototype grown in plastic, and two photorealistic posters. Cost: R15,000. See our prototyping website.
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| Step 3. Register a patent:
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Register a South African provisional patent to reserve your patent rights worldwide for twelve months. Within the year, file a PCT patent to extend further your reservation in most countries of the world to thirty months. Thereafter file national phase patents in countries where you require patent protection. Provisional patent cost: Cost: R6,950 plus vat.
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| Step 4. Register a design:
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To protect the shape of your product, register a South African design, followed by foreign designs in six months time. Design cost: R4,950 plus vat
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| Step 5. Register a trademark:
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To protect the name of your product (e.g. "APPLE" computers), register a South African trademark. Cost: R3,450 plus vat.
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| Step 6. License your IP:
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Appoint licensed distributors that pay your patent and design costs in their territories. We are specialists in intellectual property, licensing, tax and exchange controls. And, draft agreements in simple English.
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| South African national phase patents:
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Extend your PCT patent to South Africa for only US$585. This includes all costs up to and including grant of the South African patent. South Africa is not an examining country. So, no prosecution costs will be incurred for South African national phase patents other than pharmaceutical patents.
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