You grinded for your brand. You built it from nothing. Now make it officially yours. Empowering Mzansi to be captains of their own ships. File your own trademark — directly with CIPC. No attorneys. No middlemen. No nonsense. R1,500 all-inclusive.
What name, logo, or slogan do you want to protect? Built in Mzansi — registered with CIPC.
Enter in capitals. This is how it will appear on your registration certificate.
🖼️
Click to upload or drag and drop PNG or JPG · Black and white preferred
⚠️ Black and white logos give broader protection than colour marks. Learn why
Identify your trademark classes
Trademarks are filed in specific categories (Nice Classes). The assistant below will suggest the right ones for your business. Each class is a separate application and fee.
MarkRight Class AssistantAI · not legal advice
Suggested classes are based on your description. This is not a legal opinion on registrability or conflicts with existing marks.
Analysing your business description...
Suggested classes — tick all that apply:
Each class = one CIPC application = R1,500 all-inclusive (CIPC fee of R590 included). Select only what your business actually needs — you can file additional classes later.
Please suggest and select at least one class before continuing.
Who owns this trademark?
The owner's details appear on the CIPC application. Your South African address will be recorded as the address for service — CIPC sends all correspondence there.
Owner type
Individual details
Entity details
Address for service · Must be in South Africa
⚠️ CIPC will send all official correspondence — including examination reports and office actions — to this address. Make sure it's accurate.
Contact details
One useful add-on
Before checkout — there's one thing worth considering.
🔍
Basic trademark search
We run a search of the CIPC register for identical marks in your selected class(es) and email you the raw results before filing.
Raw database output only. Not a legal opinion on registrability or risk.
+ R350 per class
Why bother? Filing a mark that already exists on the register means you'll likely receive an office action — and you've paid the fee with little chance of success. A basic search flags obvious identical conflicts early. It is not a substitute for a professional clearance opinion.
Review & pay
Check your order, read and accept the declarations below, then pay to file your application.
Order summary
TotalR0
Payment method
💳 Card
🏦 EFT
⚡ Instant EFT
Before you pay — read and accept all four
MarkRight ZA is a self-service filing tool, not a law firm. Tick all four to proceed.
🔒 Secured by PayFast · SSL encrypted · No card data stored
✓
Payment received.
Your trademark application has been submitted to CIPC. A confirmation email has been sent to you.
TM-2026-XXXXX
Save this number — it is your official application reference.
📋
Step 1 — Filing (Now — Week 4) We submit your TM1 to CIPC and email you your official application number. CIPC conducts a formalities check. Your filing date is your priority date — your rights are established from today.
🔍
Step 2 — Examination (Months 1–12) A CIPC examiner reviews your mark. After 9–12 months you receive an examination report. Your mark will be accepted, provisionally refused, or conditionally accepted. If refused or conditioned, you have 3 months to respond. If you cannot resolve the objection yourself, engage a trademark attorney immediately.
📰
Step 3 — Acceptance & Publication (Months 12–18) Once accepted, CIPC sends you a publication notice to your address for service. You must accept publication via CIPC IPOnline. Your mark is then advertised in the Patent Journal.
⚖️
Step 4 — Opposition Period (Months 18–21) A 3-month window during which third parties may oppose your application. If no opposition is filed, your application proceeds to registration automatically.
🏆
Step 5 — Registration (Months 21–26) CIPC issues your Certificate of Registration. Your trademark is registered for 10 years from your original filing date — renewable every 10 years indefinitely. You may now use the ® symbol.
⚠️
Important reminder All CIPC correspondence comes directly to your address for service. Monitor your post and email regularly. Missing a deadline can cause your application to lapse. Diarise your renewal date 10 years from today.
MZANSI · CIPC · DIY
How trademark registration works in South Africa
Everything you need to know — explained simply. No legal jargon.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is a sign that identifies your goods or services and sets them apart from everyone else. It can be your brand name, your logo, your slogan — or a combination.
In South Africa, trademarks are registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) under the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993. Once registered, you own exclusive rights for 10 years — renewable forever.
Register now — not later
South Africa recognises both registered and unregistered trademarks. If you have been using a mark in trade long enough, you may have common law rights based on use and reputation — even without registration.
But proving common law rights is expensive, slow, and uncertain. Registration gives you a clear, enforceable statutory right from a fixed date — no evidence required.
What are trademark classes?
Trademarks are registered in specific categories called Nice Classes. There are 45 — Classes 1–34 cover physical goods, Classes 35–45 cover services. You only get protection in the classes you register in.
Each class = one CIPC application = R1,500. Our AI assistant recommends the right classes for your business.
What you need to file
1
Your mark
The exact word mark OR a clear JPEG of your logo.
2
Full name of the owner
The person or company that will own and USE the trademark.
3
Physical address in South Africa
Address for service — where CIPC sends all official correspondence.
4
Your class(es)
Our AI assistant suggests the correct Nice Classes based on your business.
The CIPC process — step by step
Day 1 — You file
MarkRight ZA submits your TM1 to CIPC. You get a filing number — your priority date.
Weeks 1–4 — Formalities check
CIPC checks the form is complete and fees paid.
Months 9–12 — Substantive examination
CIPC examiner reviews your mark. They may accept it or raise objections. You have 3 months to respond.
Months 15–20 — Acceptance and publication
Published in the Patent Journal. 3-month opposition window opens.
Months 21–26 — Registration
CIPC issues your Certificate of Registration. Valid 10 years, renewable forever. You may now use ®.
Day 1
Priority date
→
9–12 mo
Examination
→
~2 years
Registration
General information only — not legal advice.
TRANSPARENT · ALL-INCLUSIVE · NO SURPRISES
Simple, honest pricing
One flat fee per trademark class. Everything included. No hidden costs.
PER TRADEMARK CLASS
R1,500all-inclusive
CIPC official filing fee (TM1)✓ Included (R590)
AI class identification✓ Included
Application filing and submission✓ Included
Filing confirmation and receipt✓ Included
CIPC application number✓ Included
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Basic trademark search
Search the CIPC register for identical marks in your class(es). Raw results emailed before filing.
Not a legal opinion on registrability.
R350
per class
Example pricing
1 class (e.g. clothing brand)R1,500
2 classes (e.g. clothing + retail)R3,000
1 class + basic searchR1,850
2 classes + basic searchR3,700
Not included
✗ Response to office actions ✗ Opposition proceedings ✗ Legal advice or registrability opinions ✗ Trademark renewal (due every 10 years)
Payments via PayFast. Card, EFT, and instant EFT accepted.
PLAIN ENGLISH · NO LEGAL JARGON
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know about trademarks in South Africa.
How long does it take to register a trademark? +
The full process takes approximately 18–24 months. But your protection starts on the day you file — not when you get the certificate.
How much does it cost? +
R1,500 per class, all-inclusive — including the CIPC official fee of R590. Optional basic search R350 per class.
Do I need a logo to file? +
No. You can trademark a word, name, slogan, or logo — or any combination. Most businesses start with their brand name.
My business is registered with CIPC — isn't that enough? +
No — they are completely different things. Registering your company stops another company registering the same name. It does not stop someone from trading under your name. South Africa recognises common law rights based on prior use, but proving those rights is costly and uncertain. A registered trademark is far easier to enforce.
What are trademark classes? +
Trademarks are registered in categories called Nice Classes — 45 in total. You only get protection in the classes you register in. Our AI assistant suggests the right ones.
When can I use ™ and when can I use ®? +
™ — use as soon as you have filed and received your filing receipt.
® — only once your trademark is fully registered with a certificate from CIPC.
How long does a trademark last? +
10 years, renewable indefinitely. CIPC does not send renewal reminders — put the date in your calendar.
What if my application is objected to? +
CIPC issues an office action at your address for service. You have 3 months to respond. MarkRight ZA is a self-service tool — we do not handle office actions. You will need to respond yourself or engage a trademark attorney.
Ready to protect your brand?
Empowering Mzansi to be captains of their own ships. File your own trademark — R1,500 all-inclusive.
LEGAL · EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 2026
Terms of Service
By submitting an application you agree to these terms.
1. Who we are
MarkRight ZA is a self-service trademark filing platform. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice, opinions, or representation. Use of this platform does not create an attorney-client relationship.
2. What we do
We collect information for a TM1 application, use AI to suggest Nice Classes, submit your TM1 to CIPC as a filing agent, and email you your application number and confirmation.
3. What we do not do
We do not provide legal advice, registrability opinions, conflict checks, CIPC correspondence management, office action responses, opposition representation, or guarantee registration.
4. Address for service
Your South African address will be the address for service on your CIPC application. All CIPC correspondence goes directly to you. You are responsible for monitoring and responding timeously.
5. Your responsibilities
You confirm you own the mark and intend to use it in trade. You confirm the information you provide is accurate. You understand filing does not guarantee registration. You are responsible for responding to CIPC within prescribed periods. If you receive an office action you must respond yourself or engage an attorney.
6. Fees and refunds
R1,500 per class all-inclusive (including R590 CIPC fee). R350 optional basic search per class. Once submitted to CIPC, the R590 fee is non-refundable. If we cannot file due to our technical error, we will refund in full. No refund if CIPC refuses, raises an office action, or opposition is filed.
7. Limitation of liability
Our liability is limited to the amount paid for the relevant application.
8. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Last updated April 2026. Questions? Email hello@markright.co.za
POPIA COMPLIANT · EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 2026
Privacy Policy
How MarkRight ZA collects, uses, and protects your personal information in compliance with POPIA.
1. Responsible party
MarkRight ZA is the responsible party under POPIA. Contact hello@markright.co.za. We respond within 30 days.
2. What we collect
Full name or entity name — physical address in South Africa — email address — mobile number — company/CC registration number if applicable — trademark details — payment confirmation via PayFast (we do not store card details). We do not collect your SA ID number and do not collect special personal information as defined under POPIA.
3. Lawful basis
Contractual necessity: Name and address needed to complete Form TM1. Email and mobile needed to send confirmation. Consent: By ticking the POPIA checkbox you consent to processing for the purposes in this policy.
4. How we use your information
To complete and submit your TM1 to CIPC. To send your filing confirmation and application number. To email search results if purchased. To contact you with updates. To maintain internal filing records. We do not use your information for marketing and do not sell your personal information.
5. Who we share with
CIPC: Your name, address, and mark details are submitted as part of your application. Accepted applications are published in the Patent Journal.
PayFast: Payment processing is handled by PayFast. We do not store card details.
Google Workspace: Email and internal records.
6. Retention
Filing records retained for 5 years from filing date, then securely deleted.
7. Your rights under POPIA
Access: Request a copy of information we hold. Correction: Request correction. Deletion: Request deletion (information submitted to CIPC cannot be retracted). Withdraw consent: Withdraw at any time. Complain: Lodge a complaint at inforeg.org.za.
Email hello@markright.co.za to exercise any right.
8. Security & Cookies
SSL encryption (HTTPS). Payments via PayFast. We do not store card details. No tracking cookies. No third-party analytics.
Last updated April 2026. Contact hello@markright.co.za