Summary
A brief outline of the procedure for trademark registration in South Africa is as follows:
• File application;
• Examination approximately 36 months from date of filing;
• Acceptance once Registrar's requirements have been met;
• Advertisement thereafter - third parties have a period of three months from the date of advertisement within which to oppose;
• Registration after expiry of 3-month opposition term provided no opposition is encountered;
• Renewal - every ten years;
• Compulsory use for a period of 5 continuous years from the date of registration.
The whole process from filing to registration will take approximately 4 years due to the backlog at the Trademarks Office.