Trademark search
We search the register for existing or conflicting marks before you spend money filing.
CIPC trademarks
Register a trademark to protect your brand.
Your brand name and logo are worth protecting. Smartbook runs the search, files your trademark application with the CIPC Trade Marks office and manages it through examination — so you own your brand, not just use it.
What you get
- Trademark availability search in your class
- Application filed with the CIPC Trade Marks office
- Managed through examination and publication
- Exclusive rights to your brand once registered
From
R3 500
Turnaround
Varies (12–24 months at CIPC)
For
South African businesses protecting a brand name, logo or slogan
A registered company name does not protect your brand — anyone can trade under a similar name until you own the trademark. A trademark gives you the exclusive legal right to use your name, logo or slogan in your industry, and the power to stop others from copying it. It's one of the most valuable assets a growing business can own.
Trademark registration is filed per class of goods or services and goes through a search, examination and publication process at the CIPC Trade Marks office, which can take well over a year. Smartbook handles it end-to-end: we search for conflicts first so you don't waste a filing, then lodge and manage the application through to registration.
When you need this
Register a trademark when you:
- Have a brand name, logo or slogan worth protecting
- Are investing in marketing and don't want it copied
- Want to stop competitors trading under a confusingly similar name
- Are raising funding or preparing to franchise or license
- Are expanding into new products or markets under your brand
What's included
Class advice
We help you choose the right class(es) of goods or services so your mark is properly protected.
Application filing
We prepare and file your trademark application with the CIPC Trade Marks office.
Examination management
We track the application through examination and respond to CIPC where needed.
Publication monitoring
We monitor the application through publication and the opposition period.
Registration certificate
Once registered, you receive the certificate confirming your exclusive rights.
How it works
Send us your brand
Tell us the name, logo or slogan you want to protect and what your business does.
We search and file
We run a conflict search, advise on classes, and lodge your application with CIPC.
We see it through
We manage the application through examination and publication to registration.
What we need from you
- The exact name, logo or slogan you want to trademark
- A description of the goods or services it covers
- Applicant details (company or individual)
- A high-resolution logo file, if you're registering a device mark
Common questions
How long does trademark registration take?
Registration at CIPC typically takes 12 to 24 months from filing, because of the search, examination, publication and opposition stages. You do, however, get an early filing date that protects your priority from day one.
Isn't my company name already protected?
No. Registering a company at CIPC only reserves that exact name on the companies register. It doesn't stop others from using a similar brand. A trademark is what gives you enforceable, exclusive rights to your brand.
What can I trademark?
Brand names, logos, slogans and other distinctive marks that identify your goods or services. Generic or purely descriptive words are hard to register — we advise on how registrable your mark is before filing.
What is a class?
Trademarks are registered against classes of goods and services. You register your mark in the class(es) that match what you sell. We help you pick the right ones so your protection actually covers your business.
Why do a search first?
If a similar mark already exists in your class, your application can be refused or opposed — and the filing fee is lost. A search up front tells us whether it's worth filing, or whether you should adjust the mark.
How long does a trademark last once registered?
A registered trademark lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year periods, so your brand stays protected for as long as you keep it up.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Smartbook keeps this page current with CIPC and SARS rules.
Ready to get this sorted?
Tell us about your company and we'll send a free compliance check.
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