Industrial Design Registration — South Africa

Protect the unique visual appearance of your designs, products, and accessories in South Africa — fully handled by the Fashion Law Institute Africa's legal team and our qualified South African attorney partner.

This service covers the complete industrial design registration process with the South African Designs Office (CIPC), including:

✔ Availability search

✔ Assessment of Aesthetic vs Functional design classification

✔ Preparation of all required drawings and application forms

✔ Application filing with CIPC

✔ Examination and correspondence management

✔ Certificate of Registration (Aesthetic design: valid for 15 years · Functional design: valid for 10 years)

Aesthetic vs Functional — What Is the Difference?

South Africa recognises two types of industrial design registration and choosing the right one matters.

An Aesthetic design protects the visual features of a product that appeal to the eye, the overall look, shape, pattern, or ornamentation of your garment, accessory, or product.

A Functional design protects design features that are determined by the function the product performs — such as the structural configuration of a fastening, a sole, or a technical component.

Most fashion products require Aesthetic design registration. Some products benefit from both. Our team will advise you on the correct classification before filing.

By law, foreign applicants in South Africa must be represented by a registered South African attorney. FLI Africa handles this entirely on your behalf.

This service is offered at a subsidised rate as part of FLI Africa's commitment to making intellectual property protection accessible to Africa's fashion creatives. FLI Africa offers this service at $699 — professionally managed from search to certificate.

What happens after payment: Our team will contact you within 2 working days to begin the process and collect the information we need. The South African design registration process typically takes 12 – 18 months.

What you will need to provide:

• Your full legal name or registered company name
• Clear drawings or photographs of your design from multiple angles
• An indication of whether Aesthetic or Functional design protection is required (our team will advise)
• A signed Power of Attorney authorising our South African attorney to act on your behalf (we will prepare this for you)

Additional designs: This listing covers one design application in one class. South Africa requires a separate application per class. Please email us for bundle pricing.

Questions? 📧 [email protected] 📞 09066238217