South African offers the lowest cost national phase patent available.
Total cost: US$475.
This charge include: our professional charge; the official / filing fee (US$40); prosecution costs; acceptance, publication and grant costs; and cost to courier the patent certificate to you.
National phase patent filing deadline: 31 months, extendable to 34 months (at no additional cost).
Requirements: Email us the PCT number. We will email you a couple of forms for signature.
We require a scanned copy of the signed forms. Original are not required, neither do the signed forms require any form of certification. We do not charge to late-lodge signed forms.
Time to grant: 9 months (reduced to 6 months if accelerated acceptance is requested).
South African patents are not subject to substantive examination.
Next amount payable: approx. US$40 renewal fee payable on the third anniversary of the PCT filing date. Alternatively, pre-pay all renewals for the 20-year term of the patent for only $385.
Non‐English specifications: An English translation of foreign language specifications must be filed together with a translator's certificate.
Amendment: Our charge to prepare and file a pre‐grant amendment is US$250. Amendments before grant may have the effect of increasing the scope of the claims, but may not introduce new matter. Since amendments that narrow the scope of the claims may be made before or after grant, we generally suggest delaying amending the South African patent claim until infringement proceedings are to be instituted.
South African national phase patents must be filed, as published by WIPO. Any amendments to the specification on file at WIPO can only be effected after filing the South African national phase patent.
Articles: Patent issues