The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) introduced a second e-filing service in the Intellectual Property domain – for patents.
Astrid Ludin, commissioner of CIPC says, “What is of particular importance to CIPC is that individuals can directly e-lodge patent applications that do not require representation by a patent attorney with the CIPC. The new web-based service makes it much easier than it was before to file a patent application.”
The service offers two options for the electronic filing of new patent applications:
- CUBA Desktop Client for filing of bulk applications
- Web Client, for single application submissions.
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 patent applications in bulk, on a daily basis.
E-filing offers a secure filing method that can assure attorneys and individuals of the lodging date and any priority rights applicable to new patent applications. In addition, CIPC prioritises applications that have been submitted via e-filing.