A SANi* patent is a combination South African patent and Nigerian patent, covering the two Sub-Saharan African countries with the highest GDP and population.
Despite covering fewer countries than ARIPO or OAPI regional patents, the GDP covered by a SANi patent is greater than that of ARIPO and OAPI patents combined.
| SANi | ARIPO | OAPI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT national phase deadline | Nigeria - 30 months South Africa - 34 months |
31 months | 30 months |
| Language | English | English | English / French |
| Examination | No | Yes | Yes |
| Time to issue certificate (est.) | SA: 5-9 months Nigeria: 3 months |
32 months | 12 months |
| Amendments after grant | Yes (narrowing) | Yes (narrowing) | Only by patent of addition |
| Expected cost | $875 (S&Z pricing for law firms) ($669 online) |
7 States: $4,200 18 States: $5,520 |
$1,344 |
| Pre-payment of renewals (20yrs) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Expected renewal cost (20yrs) | $875 (prepaid, S&Z pricing for law firms) ($815 online, prepaid) |
7 States: $37,000 18 States: $88,000 |
$16,170 |
| Expected Lifetime cost | $1,750 (S&Z pricing for law firms) ($1,484 online) |
7 States: $41,200 18 States: $93,520 |
$17,514 |
SANi patents can be filed through:
South Africa
Nigeria
Patents
Trademarks
Designs
Patents
Trademarks
On filing, the specification must mirror the PCT application on file at WIPO.
Changes thereto (including changes to applicant details) may only be made after filing.
| Using GlobalIPCo system | Using S&Z | |
|---|---|---|
| SANi Patent cost (filing to courier of certificates) | $779* | $875 |
*Where 2 patents are included in a courier parcel; pricing is reduced to $724 where 4 patents are included in a courier parcel; law firms qualify for preferential pricing.
The Nigerian component of the SANi patent must be filed within 30 months of the PCT priority date, whereas the South African component may be delayed (at no additional cost) until 34 months from the PCT priority date.
Since SANi patents are not subject to examination, the cost from filing to courier of the certificate is fixed, and patent certificates can be issued within 6 months of filing.
At the end of the filing process, you will receive both a South African and a Nigerian patent certificate, each with a unique patent number.
Significantly reduce the lifetime cost of a SANi patent by paying all renewals for the 20-year term upfront for only $875 (S&Z pricing for law firms).
After pre-paying all renewals, no further action or payment is required to maintain the SANi patent in force for 20 years.
SANi patents may be amended after grant to reduce the scope of the claims. A popular option is to delay amending the SANi patent until infringement proceedings are considered.
A SANi trademark is the best trademark option for Africa.
The SANi combination trademark covers more GDP than OAPI (17 States) and ARIPO (13 States) trademarks combined and covers a greater population than either OAPI or ARIPO trademarks.
| SANi | ARIPO | OAPI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | English | English | English / French |
| Multi-Single class | Single-class | Multi-class | Multi-class |
| Examination | Yes | No examination at ARIPO, but subject to examination by designated States | Yes |
| Time to issue certificate (est.) | 2 years | 6-12 months | 6-12 months |
| Expected cost | First class: $435 Addition class: $410 |
First class: $3,480 Addition class: $860 |
First class: $1,125 Addition class: $225 |
SANi trademarks may be filed through the GlobalIPCo system or by S&Z:
| Using GlobalIPCo system | Using S&Z | |
|---|---|---|
| SANi Trademark cost (filing to issuance of certificate) | $336 | $435 (first class) $410 (additional class) |
(excludes costs to respond to office actions and opposition)
GlobalIPCo is a developer of IP filing systems that focusses on non-examining countries.
S&Z is a South African patent law firm, established in 2007. S&Z is the largest filer of South African patents, filing about 5,000 patents per year.
snz.co.za / info@snz.co.za
globalipco.com / info@globalipco.com
*The SANi patent is not created by Treaty
