Patents - General Information

  • You can claim priority according to Paris Convention within: 12 months from the first filing date.
  • Member of: PCT, Paris Convention, ARIPO.
  • Annuities: For applicants based on a granted South African patent, annuity fees are payable on the same due date as the South African annuity fees, i.e. every year on the anniversary of the effective filing date. However, no annuity fees are payable for a UK-based application.
  • Allowed time to submit the assignment deed from the date of signing the agreement: no time restrictions.

A patent based on a South African or UK patent remains in force for so long as the South African or UK patent remains in force. The term of an ARIPO patent designating Swaziland is 20 years from the effective filing date.