Steps of South African trademark

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Steps

SOUTH AFRICAN TRADEMARK

Summary of the process for registration of a South African trademark using the Iptica online trademark filing system:

Your steps	Our steps
1. Create an account (providing username and password). All correspondence will be sent to your email address.
2. Enter word mark or upload logo.
3. Enter applicant details.
4. Select class(es)
5. Sign forms by either: using our e‐signing option; or printing, signing, scanning and uploading the forms. We do not require hardcopies of the original signed forms to be sent to us. Neither do any of the forms require commissioning, legalisation or notarization.
6. Pay US$199 by credit card.
	7. We file the South African trademark, signed by a registered South African trademark attorney.
	8. Within a South African business day of filing, we receive a filing receipt (with the application number) from the South African Trademarks Office, which we will forward to you by email.
9. If an examination report is issued, we will forward it to you by email. (Estimated 9‐12 months from filing)
10. Request our opinion regarding the response to the examination report. Cost: US$70.
	11. We provide (by email) an opinion from a registered South African trademark attorney regarding how to respond to the office action.
12. Request us to respond to the office action: US$70 for a routine response; US$110 for a response that changes the trademark; and amount to be quoted for a custom response.
	13. About 15‐20 months from filing, we should receive a notice of acceptance from the South African Trademarks Office, which we will forward to you by email.
14. Instruct us to arrange publication and grant of your South African trademark for US$70. Acceptance must be published within 6 months of acceptance, but arrangements should be made no less than 5 weeks before the deadline. Publication triggers a 3 month opposition period.
	15. In the absence of opposition, we should receive the registered trademark certificate within 6‐8 months of publication. We will email an electronic version of the certificate to you. If required, we could courier the registration certificate to you (anywhere in the world) for US$110.
	16. The PayAnnuity trademark renewal system will email you South African trademark renewal reminders. South African trademark renewals fall due every 10 years calculated from the South African trademark filing date (irrespective of any priority claim). You may login to the PayAnnuity system and instruct South African trademark renewals online, paying by credit card. Cost: US$65 per 10‐year renewal.

Your steps

Our steps