CIPC has introduced an e-filing facility for the lodgment of new trade mark applications.
The service offers two options for the electronic filing of new trade mark application:
- CUBA Desktop Client for filing of bulk applications
- Web Client, for single application submissions.
“Individuals can apply for trade mark protection directly with the CIPC and the new web-based service makes it much easier than it was before”, said Astrid Ludin, commissioner of CIPC.
“The web-based interface is also very accessible for small law firms and individuals, while we also offer a filing facility for larger firms, who lodge new trade mark applications in bulk, on a daily basis.
“We would like to see a rapid migration to e-filing in this area, as we have phased out our manual stamping of documents as receipt acknowledgement.”
“E-filing offers a secure filing method that can assure attorneys and individuals of the lodging date and any priority rights applicable to new trade mark applications. As with all our e-services, we prioritise applications that have been submitted via e-filing,” explains Ludin.