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Get Compliant from Anywhere, Easy and Fast!

0800 007 269 (Toll Free)
Get Compliant from Anywhere, Easy and Fast!

Table of Contents

  • Legal

Trademark Registration – The Benefits and How to Get One in South Africa

When it comes to starting a business and making it grow, a trademark registration is one of the most important things you can do. If you want to build a brand that lasts, you need to know how a trademark protects your business. 

Most business owners know they need to officially register a company, but not nearly as many know how valuable it is to register a trademark. In the business world we live in now, it’s not a nice-to-have to protect your brand name, image, slogan, and even product names – it’s a serious consideration.

This article will explain why you need a registered trademark, how to register a trademark for your business and how it protects your company.

What is the Purpose of Trademarks?

You put a lot of time, money, and effort into making your business stand out. Anything that makes your business unique, like your name, brand, or product packaging, is your intellectual property. But the hard truth is that if you don’t protect it, someone else can copy it, make money off of it, or even stop you from using it.

Imagine building a beautiful brand and seeing someone else mimic it to trick your clients or dilute your reputation. That’s the risk of not registering your trademark.

That’s why trademark registration in South Africa;

  • Lawyer up to protect your brand.
  • Don’t let other people use your name, logo, slogan or image.
  • Protect your name in the market.
  • Give you the only rights to use your brand in your field.


A registered trademark is more than just proof that you own something. It protects you legally from people who try to copy your work and can also make your business more valuable. As it provides an asset.

Is It Worth Getting a Trademark?

Absolutely! Consider this: Would you leave your house open while you're away on vacation? Not at all. So why not protect the name, slogan, or logo of your business? Find out more here about how a trademark helps your business.
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What are the Benefits of Trademarks, and How Does a Trademark Protect Your Business in South Africa?

Ownership and exclusive use

You are the only one who can use your mark (the legal term for your trademark). Other parties are legally prevented from making use of your trademark.

Protective law

You can go to court to protect your name, slogan and image if someone steals your work or uses a similar brand. This happens more often than you think and can be considered “passing off”.

Meaning the perpetrator is trying to pretend they are another company to gain the benefits.

Trust and Reputation

Customers will know you’re serious, established, and skilled if you have a registered trademark. You will know a logo or brand name is protected by the “TM” or the “R” symbols (like the Company Partners logo trademark at the top of the page).

Making the market unique

Customers will quickly know and remember your brand, which is especially important in fields with a lot of competition. It is also this interest you want to protect through a trademark, so that others abuse it for their own benefit.

The business grows

Want to grow your business, sell it, or give it out as a franchise? When you get a trademark you get something real that you can sell or franchise to make money.

Peace of Mind

You worked hard to make your business what it is today. Knowing that it is safe lets you focus on growth instead of worrying about legal issues.

What Can You Trademark in South Africa?

Trademarks are more than just company names. You can trademark the following in South Africa:

  • The name of your business or trade
  • Your brand symbol or logo
  • Slogans and taglines
  • Names of products or ideas for packaging
  • Sounds, colours, or even shapes (if they’re unique and linked to your brand)
  • A combination of the above
expert tip

Need help designing a trademark-ready logo? Our logo design service makes it easy to craft a distinctive brand identity that stands out and qualifies for registration.

How to Check if a Name is Trademarked in South Africa

Before you start off, make sure that your name or image isn’t already taken before you apply for a trademark. Also, ensure you do this from the get-go so that you don’t get turned down or run into legal problems.

This is how you can check:

expert tip

Our team will do a full trademark search to make sure your name is available and then give you advice on the best way to move forward. Check if there is a similar trademark before you apply to avoid being let down and wasting time.

Where Do I Register My Logo in South Africa?

In South Africa, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is in charge of registering trademarks, which can also include images. However, the legal requirements, classifications, and paperwork can be confusing and time-consuming. That’s why a lot of companies use the trademark services from professional service providers like Company Partners.

Our Trademark Attorney, Reinhardt Bruwer, specialises in Intellectual Property Law and is a practicing Trademark Attorney with extensive expertise and experience in trademark law. He will ensure your trademark is filed correctly. This is how we can assist your company:

  • Take care of the search.
  • Get your application ready.
  • Send the form and handle the process with CIPC.
  • Offer ongoing help and renewals.
  • You don’t have to worry about the fine print of the law.
  • Our experts, who will help you with your trademark registration, will be with you every step of the way.

How Long Does It Take For a Trademark to be Approved in South Africa?

The short answer is that it generally takes between 6 and 18 months, but this depends on how complicated your application is and whether there are any objections or conflicts with trademarks that are already in use.

The good news? Once it’s registered, your trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. It needs to be renewed on time, and you can do that online or by sending in a paper form. CIPC will send you a reminder before it ends, but you need to renew it yourself to avoid extra fees.

About Trademark renewals:


With Company Partners, we make the entire process seamless by managing everything on your behalf. From the initial search to the final trademark registration certificate.

expert tip

Did you know that one mistake in the process can cause your request to be delayed or even turned down. We've helped 37 business owners in South Africa with their trademark registration in the past 90 days.

How to Register a Trademark in South Africa – Step-by-Step

We’ve broken the trademark registration process down into 4 easy steps:

Look for a trademark

We check to see if the name, logo, or phrase you want to use is already taken and can be registered.

Send in your application

Our professional Trademark Attorney will complete and submit your application, making sure that all of the classes and standards are met.

Review and publication

The application is reviewed by CIPC, and it is then put in the Government Gazette so that people can object.

Get approval and a certificate

Once your trademark is accepted, you will get your registration certificate, as long as no objections are filed.

expert tip

Not registered as a company yet? Not a problem. You can start with your company registration through Company Partners, and we’ll guide you straight into trademark protection from day one.

We offer bundled services so you can:


No queues. No red tape. Just expert support at every step.

Why Should You Choose Company Partners to Register Your Trademark?

Company Partners is the name that business owners trust to protect their brands. We have helped more than 50,000 entrepreneurs start businesses successfully and have been providing company services in South Africa since 2006. We do more than just fill out paperwork when it comes trademark registration. We walk the path with you and keep you up to date throughout the process.

Our professional team knows everything there is to know about registering a brand in South Africa. They know how to get through the CIPC process, what classes to apply for, and how to make sure your application has the best chance of being accepted. Whether you’re just starting your business and need help registering your company or you’re ready to protect your brand’s name by registering a trademark, we can help.

In Conclusion

What Are the Benefits of Partnering with Us on Registering Your Trademark?

  • We help with registering a business and a brand from start to finish.
  • We do the homework on your chosen trademark before you apply.
  • Our in-house team can help with legal and compliance issues.
  • Our team can create your logo to make sure your brand is ready to go.
  • You’ll get a quick response and feedback from a dedicated account manager.
  • We provide access to additional services such as tax services, website registration, and BEE certificates.


Protect your name, logo, and company today with the help of professionals who have helped thousands of other people do the same. Don’t leave your business unprotected.

Are you ready to keep your brand safe?

We will not only help you get your business, we will also help you build a brand that will last. When it comes to trademarks in South Africa, we know all the ins and outs already to make the process easier, cut down on risk, and protect your brand as much as possible.

Get in touch with us today to register your trademark and protect your business.

Contact us today!

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