south african patent search

[duncan drennan]

Does anyone know whether there is an online way to search South African patents and obtain the full patent information?

I want to get the information about a particular patent (I have the number).

[Dave A]

I had a look at the CIPRO website (I suspect you might have too). Under step 1 of Registering a patent, it has:

Step 1: Conduct a Search on Existing Patents


This search can be undertaken by the applicant / inventor or by the patent attorney / agent
This is to ensure that no existing patents are being infringed and that the invention is new/novel (S25 of Patent Act)
Although this initial search is not essential it is advisable.
The search is conducted in the Pretoria office of the Patents Registrar.

This is not very encouraging for the prospects of an online search being available for CIPRO held info.

In searching for options on Google, and after following a bit of a chain, I found this page which seemed to have the most potential.

[RKS Computer Solutions]

http://www.cipro.co.za/Home/

Couldn't see a link to search for specific patent information, but I guess you could always contact them...

[RKS Computer Solutions]

Dammit I hate it when you do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[duncan drennan]

Dammit I hate it when you do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehehehe

Anyway...this was the most useful info I found, but basically SA patents are not available online. An attorney that I contacted quoted R350 to get me a copy. I then phoned CIPRO and (after getting to someone the second time around) they told me that I can just send a written request for a copy, and they will send it to me free of charge.

So, I'm testing that theory, I'll let you know how it works out.

[Dave A]

The online revolution still has a long way to go in South Africa

[duncan drennan]

South Africa patents can be searched here, http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/sear.../za/search.jsf

Cipro also has a search function, but it just gives the details from the patent register, not the full patent details (as the WIPO site does): http://patentsearch.cipro.gov.za/pat...entsearch.aspx

[AnthonyVZ]

Try putting in the number into Espacenet (http://gb.espacenet.com/search97cgi/...n/advanced.hts) in the following format ZAYYYYNNNNN (i.e. ZA200801177). If Espacenet locates a patent, go into the record and click FAMILY. This will show you all corresponding patents in other countries. Now if you click on a corresponding US / EU patent you should be able to view the related patent document. You can also put the ZA number in the same format as above into the IdeaNav Patent Search Tool (http://www.ideanav.co.za/searching/patent-search-tool/), which searches all main databases simultaneously.