Trademarks: South Africa

General Information

International Agreements : Paris Convention

Classification : Nice Classification (8th Edition); single-Class filings.

What is Registrable : Trademarks, Service Marks, Collective Marks & Certification Marks.

What is Not Registrable : Series Marks & Defensive Marks.

Examination : Yes
Publication : Yes
Opposition : Yes – within 3 months as of publication date

Time Frame for Registration : 34-36 Months

Registration Term : 10 Years – as of filing date
Renewal Term : 10 Years

Grace Period for Renewals : Within one month as of the advertisement of non-renewal notice, with payment of fine.

Cancellation : Yes - application may be filed after five years of non-use.

Filing Requirements

Trademark/Service Mark Requirements

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
   
2. Details of the Applicant.
   
3. 10 prints of the mark & list of goods.
   
4. Certified copy of priority document (if claimed) with verified English translation.

• For Certification marks - statement that Applicant does not carry on a trade in the goods or services and copy of rules governing use. 
  
• For Collective marks - set of rules governing use of mark.

Renewal of Trademark/Service Mark Requirements

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
   
2. Details of the Mark.

Assignment Recordal Requirements

1. Power of Attorney by Assignee simply signed. 
   
2. Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title with verified English translation.

License Recordal Requirements

1. Powers of Attorney from proprietor and user simply signed. 
   
2. License Agreement, with verified English translation and/or Affidavit and Statement of Case, with verified English translation. 

Change of Name/Address Requirements

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
   
2. Certificate of Change of Name and/or Address, with verified English translation.

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