{"id":4118,"date":"2018-06-11T13:36:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-11T13:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/10.21.133.142\/?page_id=4118"},"modified":"2025-12-09T10:25:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:25:22","slug":"register-trade-mark","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/?page_id=4118","title":{"rendered":"REGISTER TRADE MARK"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#e7e7e8&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;breadcrumb&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<br \/>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;HEADING&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_font=&#8221;|700||on|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>REGISTER TRADE MARK<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow url_new_window=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;right&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;right&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;facebook&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/theCIPC\/&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#3b5998&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; follow_button=&#8221;off&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;off&#8221;]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;twitter&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/twitter.com\/thecipc&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.2&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; follow_button=&#8221;off&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;off&#8221;]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;youtube&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/theCIPC&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#a82400&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; follow_button=&#8221;off&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;off&#8221;]youtube[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#e7e7e8&#8243; border_radii=&#8221;on|1px|1px|1px|1px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Content&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; header_2_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;10px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|1px|1px|1px|1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#00727d&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>A trade mark is a brand name, a slogan or a logo. It identifies the services or goods of one person and distinguishes it from the goods and services of another. Thus a brand name is a word or combination of words (e.g. Kentucky Fried Chicken). A slogan is a short phrase or a sentence, and a logo is a distinctive picture or symbol. They provide a distinctive identity in the marketplace and can apply to both products and services.<\/p>\n<p>When a trade mark (brand name, slogan or logo) has been registered, nobody else can use this trade mark, or one that is confusingly similar. If this happens, legal action may result.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Must a Trade Mark be Registered?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A trade mark can only be protected as such and defended under the\u00a0Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act 194 of 1993) if it is registered. Unregistered trade marks may be defended in terms of common law. The registration procedure results in a registration certificate which has legal status, allowing the owner of the registered trade mark the exclusive right to use that mark.<\/p>\n<p>CIPC administers the Register of Trade Marks which is the record of all the trade marks that have been formally applied for and registered in the Republic of South Africa.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the Lifespan of a Trade Mark?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A registered trade mark can be protected forever, provided it is renewed every ten (10) years upon payment of the prescribed renewal fee.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Before you Apply<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A trade mark may be registered if it serves\u00a0the purpose of distinguishing goods and\/or services of one trader from those of another trader, and must meet the following conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It does not consist exclusively of a sign or an indication which may serve, in trade, to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin or other characteristics of your goods or services, or the mode or time of their production or of rendering of the services;<\/li>\n<li>Has not become customary in your field of trade;<\/li>\n<li>It does not represent\u00a0<strong>protected emblems<\/strong>\u00a0such as the national flag or a depiction of a national monument such as Table Mountain;<\/li>\n<li>It is not offensive or contrary to the law or good morals or deceptive by nature or way of use; and<\/li>\n<li>There are no earlier conflicting rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Typical examples of trade marks:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table class=\"responsivetable\" style=\"color: #00727d; height: 228px;\" border=\"2\" width=\"810\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"35%\"><strong>Trade Mark (Brand Name)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\"><strong>Slogan<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\"><strong>Logo<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\"><strong>Shape<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr valign=\"middle\">\n<td><strong>Coca-Cola<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\u00a0<em>Open Happiness<\/em><\/td>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/coca-cola-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/coke-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" \/><\/td>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1505 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/coca-cola-bottle-shape.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"37\" height=\"101\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"middle\">\n<td><strong>Standard Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><em>\u00a0Moving Forward<\/em><\/td>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Standard-Bank-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"82\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8213\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/standard.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"47\" \/><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong>\u00a0The above are all extracts from the South African Trade Marks Register.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Checklist for registration of Trade Marks<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;STEP 1:- REGISTER AS A CUSTOMER (view how to)&#8221; url=&#8221;#&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#x24;||divi||400&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;20px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;STEP 1&#8243; module_class=&#8221;popmake-register-as-a-customer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#00727d&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||-100px&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;STEP 2:- DEPOSIT FUNDS (view how to)&#8221; url=&#8221;#&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#x24;||divi||400&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;20px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;STEP 2&#8243; module_class=&#8221;popmake-deposit-funds-ip&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#00727d&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||-100px&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;STEP 3:- CONDUCT TRADE MARK SEARCH (view how to)&#8221; url=&#8221;#&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#x24;||divi||400&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;20px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;STEP 3&#8243; module_class=&#8221;popmake-conduct-a-trade-mark-search&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#00727d&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||-100px&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;off&#8221; use_circle_border=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;STEP 4:- APPLY FOR TRADE MARK&#8221; url=&#8221;#&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#x24;||divi||400&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;20px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;STEP:- 4&#8243; module_class=&#8221;popmake-apply-for-trade-mark&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; body_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|||-100px&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_accordion_item open=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;display: none;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;LIFE CYCLE OF A TRADE MARK&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; open=&#8221;off&#8221;]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9151 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Life_Cycle_of_a_Trade_Mark-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Life_Cycle_of_a_Trade_Mark-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Life_Cycle_of_a_Trade_Mark-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Life_Cycle_of_a_Trade_Mark-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Life_Cycle_of_a_Trade_Mark-1-1080x607.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br \/>\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;ADDITIONAL INFORMATION&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; open=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Photo copies of documents &#8211; R1.00.<\/li>\n<li>Inspection of Register, a file or documents &#8211; R4.00.<\/li>\n<li>For collating documents for certification &#8211; for every 100 words or part thereof &#8211; R4.00.<\/li>\n<li>Certification of extracts from Register or documents (per document) &#8211; R34.00.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px|||0px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; open=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20260101-en-classheadings.pdf\">Class Headings and Explanatory Notes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/classifications\/nice\/nclpub\/en\/fr\/\">Nice Classification Home Page (WIPO website)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;EXAMPLES OF NON-REGISTRABLE TRADE MARKS&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#007f86&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; open=&#8221;off&#8221;]The following are examples of trade marks for which registration will be refused because they are not capable of distinguishing for purposes of the Trade Marks Act. In other words, they cannot serve the purpose of distinguishing the goods or services of one trader from those of another trader.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" noshade=\"noshade\" size=\"1\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Example 1: &#8220;24 Hours&#8221;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>24 HOURS cannot be registered as a trade mark, since the expression is reasonably required for use by other traders.\u00a0 Should we register the mark, the owner of the registration would acquire the exclusive right to use this phrase and thereby prevent all other traders from using it. This cannot be allowed.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" noshade=\"noshade\" size=\"1\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Example 2: &#8220;Cheese&#8221;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The word CHEESE cannot serve as a trade mark for cheese, as it will not distinguish the cheese manufactured by one trader from that of another. It will thus not serve the purpose of a trade mark.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" noshade=\"noshade\" size=\"1\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Example 3: &#8220;Server&#8221;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If the word SERVER should be registered for computer services, nobody in that field of industry would be able to use the word in their everyday practice. This would be unfair to the traders in the specific industry and also detrimental to trade. Therefore, the Act prohibits the registration of words or phrases reasonably required for use in the specific field of trade. However, the word SERVER may be registered for clothing, because in that field the word is not in common use in the normal course of trade.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" noshade=\"noshade\" size=\"1\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Invented words, logos, or pictures are generally distinctive if not copied or become customary in the trade:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>PRZAY<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>eskzzee<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>LobuLo<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Add a distinctive word or symbol to a non-distinctive word or phrase<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>ZeZe Internet Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0for restaurant services<\/li>\n<li><strong>Piggy Juice<\/strong>\u00a0for fruit juice<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ivanov&#8217;s<\/strong>\u00a0Pizza Place<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_sidebar orientation=&#8221;right&#8221; area=&#8221;et_pb_widget_area_18&#8243; show_border=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;16&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;5px|5px|5px|5px&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|3px|3px|3px|3px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#00727d&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> REGISTER TRADE MARK A trade mark is a brand name, a slogan or a logo. It identifies the services or goods of one person and distinguishes it from the goods and services of another. Thus a brand name is a word or combination of words (e.g. Kentucky Fried Chicken). A slogan is a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":1423,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4118","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4118"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23253,"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118\/revisions\/23253"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cipc.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}