Question NW1596 to the Minister of Trade and Industry
20 June 2017 - NW1596
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(a) How many patents were registered in 2016 and (b) how many of the specified patents were registered by (i) Black, (ii) Coloured and (iii) Indian South Africans?
Reply:
(a) During the 2016 calendar year, there were 9033 patent applications (provisional and complete) filed at CIPC and 4307 complete applications granted in 2016. Provisional patent applications contain only the specification of the invention and are valid for only 12 months in order to allow the inventor to work further on their invention. They do not proceed to grant. Complete patent applications contain both the specifications and claims of the invention. The said application will proceed to grant once it complies with all relevant formal requirements. The granted patent is valid for 20 years if renewed annually and the prescribed renewal fee is paid.
(b) In terms of the South African Patent Act 57 of 1978, as amended, the complete patent applications must be filed by a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent. Therefore, CIPC does not have data based on the racial demographics as applicants can either be a natural person or juristic person.