Register your trademark with CIPC yourself — no attorney required. MarkRight ZA guides you through the process step by step. R1,500 per class, all-inclusive.
R1,500
Per class, all-in
45
Nice Classes covered
10yr
Protection period
🤖
AI Class Assistant
Describe your business — our assistant suggests the right Nice Classes automatically.
📋
Form TM1 filing
We prepare and submit your CIPC TM1 application using your details.
✅
CIPC fee included
The R590 CIPC official fee is built into your R1,500. No hidden costs.
🔒
POPIA compliant
Your information is collected and stored in accordance with South African law.
Not a law firm. MarkRight ZA is a self-service filing tool. We submit your TM1 to CIPC — we do not provide legal advice, registrability opinions, or representation. Terms of Service →
1
Your mark
2
Classes
3
Owner
4
Add-ons
5
Review & pay
Your trademark
Tell us about the mark you want to register. This is what will appear on your CIPC application.
What type of mark?
🔤
Word mark
Brand name or slogan
🖼️
Logo / device mark
Image or combined mark
For logo marks, you must provide a clear JPEG or PNG. The image you upload will form part of your CIPC filing.
Tip: File in the name you use in trade. If your trading name differs from your registered company name, use your trading name.
Identify your trademark classes
Trademarks are filed in specific categories called Nice Classes. The assistant below suggests 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 — deselect any that don't apply
Please select at least one class to proceed.
Owner details
Who will own this trademark? This information appears on your TM1 application and must be accurate.
Owner type
👤
Individual
Natural person
🏢
Company / CC / Trust
Legal entity
Contact & address for service
Your South African address will be the address for service on your CIPC application. All CIPC correspondence (including office actions) will go to this address. You are responsible for monitoring and responding timeously.
Optional add-ons
Enhance your application before you pay. These are optional.
🔍
Basic trademark search
We run a basic search on the CIPC trademark register for similar marks in your selected classes. Results delivered by email within 1–2 business days. This is not a comprehensive clearance opinion — it is a basic conflict check to help you assess risk before filing.
+ R350 per class
Should you search first? If you have a brand you've invested in, a basic search is a sensible step. It won't guarantee clearance but it flags obvious conflicts before you spend money on filing.
Review & pay
Check your order below, read and accept the declarations, then proceed to payment when we go live.
Order summary
TotalR0
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.
SECURE PAYMENT VIA PAYFAST
You will be redirected to PayFast to complete your payment. Once payment is confirmed, your application will be submitted to CIPC and your confirmation sent by email.
Tick all four declarations above to enable payment.
🎉
Application submitted!
Your TM1 has been submitted to CIPC. Keep this page open and check your email for your filing confirmation and application number.
📧
Check your email Your filing confirmation and application number have been sent. If you added a basic search, results will follow within 1–2 business days.
⏳
Examination takes 9–18 months CIPC will examine your application. If they raise objections, correspondence will be sent to the address for service you provided.
⚠️
Received an office action? Office actions require a legal response. You must respond within the prescribed period or engage a trademark attorney.
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Renewal in 10 years Your registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date. We'll send you a reminder when it's due.
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.
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 all-in. This includes the R590 CIPC official fee. 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
Owner details
Your full name or company name, and a South African address for service.
3
Nice Class selection
The class(es) that cover your goods or services. Our AI assists with this.
4
Payment
R1,500 per class via PayFast (card, EFT, or instant EFT).
Ready to protect your brand?
Empowering Mzansi to be captains of their own ships. File your own trademark — R1,500 all-inclusive.
TRANSPARENT · ALL-INCLUSIVE · NO SURPRISES
Simple, honest pricing
One price. Everything included. No attorney mark-up.
DIY TRADEMARK FILING
R1,500
per Nice Class · all-inclusive
Includes the R590 CIPC official fee — no extras.
✓ AI class assistant to identify your Nice Classes
✓ Form TM1 preparation and CIPC submission
✓ CIPC official fee of R590 included — nothing extra to pay
✓ Filing confirmation and application number by email
✓ 10-year renewal reminder
✗ Legal advice or registrability opinion
✗ Office action responses or CIPC correspondence
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
R350
per class · basic trademark search
A basic check on the CIPC register for similar marks in your selected classes. Results by email within 1–2 business days. Not a comprehensive clearance opinion.
How does R1,500 compare? A typical attorney-filed trademark application in South Africa costs R3,500–R8,000+ per class, not including disbursements. MarkRight ZA gives you the same CIPC filing at a fraction of the cost — the trade-off is that you handle CIPC correspondence yourself.
Refund policy
Once submitted to CIPC, the R590 official fee is non-refundable. If we cannot file due to our technical error, we refund in full. No refund if CIPC refuses, raises an office action, or if opposition is filed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions, answered
Everything about filing a trademark yourself in South Africa.
Do I need an attorney to file a trademark in South Africa? +
No. The Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993 allows any person to file directly with CIPC without an attorney. MarkRight ZA makes the process simple and guides you through each step.
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 with CIPC. It does not stop someone from trading under your name. 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 for your business.
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. MarkRight ZA will email you a reminder.
How long does the CIPC examination process take? +
Currently 9–18 months from filing date. This is a CIPC backlog issue and is outside our control.
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.
Can I file from outside South Africa? +
Currently MarkRight ZA is for South African trademark applications only, and requires a South African address for service. If you are overseas and need a South African address for service, you should use an attorney.
Is MarkRight ZA a law firm? +
No. MarkRight ZA is a self-service filing platform. We are not a law firm, we do not provide legal advice, and use of this service does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.