Filing an application for registration
Once you have finalised the design, you can file your application for registration. As with all government procedures — whether it is applying for a new passport, or submitting a tax declaration — there are official forms to be used. We talk about filing or lodging an application — it means the same thing.
It is possible for you to complete your own application, and submit it to CIPC. However, it is not a very good idea. If your application has not been lodged correctly, the Registrar will refuse the application. Go to www.saiipl.co.za for a list of specialist and experienced patent attorneys. They know what is required and how to achieve the best result for you.
Read Section 16 of the Designs Act.
With every application, you must give ‘an address for service’. This is the address you nominate for all communications relating to the application and eventually the registration. Mostly, it will be the address of the patent attorney who prepares and files the application for you — and you will need to give them a power of attorney.
Read section 51 of the Designs Act.
An official fee must be paid to CIPC when the application is lodged. It will be in addition to the fee that a patent attorney will charge for her legal services. The official fee is fixed, but different lawyers charge different rates.
Find out in the beginning what fees you will pay.