Explore IP Landscape:
South Africa
South Africa has been a member of WIPO since 1975 and is a signatory to over 9 WIPO treaties.
The national IP office of South Africa is the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). The office is located in Pretoria.
Contact information
Intellectual property landscape: South Africa
WIPO memberships
- Membership of WIPO treaties and WIPO bodies
- Treaty notifications
- National statements at WIPO assemblies
IP legal information
- WIPO lex database for IP laws, regulations, judgements and treaties
- IP policies, manuals and model agreements from universities and research institutions
IP statistics
- Statistical IP profile including data on patent, utility models, trademark and industrial design applications
Global Innovation Index ranking
South Africa ranks 69th among the 136 economies featured in the GII 2024.
The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities. Consisting of roughly 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs and outputs, the GII aims to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation.
Learn moreUse of WIPO global IP services & products: South Africa
Patents
PATENTSCOPE
- The PATENTSCOPE database provides access to published international PCT applications in full-text on the day of publication, patent documents from participating national and regional offices, and non-patent literature.
- Office of origin - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System in: South Africa
- Designated office - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System seeking protection in: South Africa
PCT System – the international patent system
- The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows inventors to apply for patent protection in over 150 countries through a single procedure.
- PCT eGuide: Detailed information on requirements relating to PCT applications
- ePCT office profile: Details on IP office procedures in the context of the PCT electronic filings system (ePCT)
WIPO news and events: South Africa
News
-
Women Innovators Take the Lead: Pitch & Protect STEM Conference Empowers the Next Generation
March 26, 2026 -
Young Game Developers Create Winning Games Powered by IP
February 4, 2026 -
Cross-Regional Forum on IP and Women in Entrepreneurship
January 31, 2025 -
Creating Value from IP in South Africa
September 2, 2024
