Your Partner in Innovation

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Frequently Asked Questions section is dedicated to intellectual property rights and patents where we aim to provide answers to common questions regarding the protection, enforcement, and management of intellectual property. Intellectual property rights plays a vital role in encouraging innovation by granting inventors exclusive rights for their ideas. Understanding patents is crucial for creators and businesses to protect their work from unauthorised use. Our FAQ guide covers a wide variety of general topics. For specific advice for your business contact us to set up a free consultation to discuss your unique requirements.

Table of contents:

What is intellectual property?
Are there different types of IP?
How do I protect my IP?
Do I need to apply for these rights?
How do these rights protect my IP?
How long do I need to wait to receive my right?
What do I have before I have the granted right?
Can I get the patent for something in South Africa that is patented elsewhere?
Must I do a search before filing an application?
Are my IP rights not cast in stone?
What kind of things can I patent?
Can I patent a business idea?
Can I patent an app?
What if my business is not patentable How does this affect my business?
Can I file a world wide patent?

FAQ 01 What is intellectual property?

FAQ 02 Are there different types of IP?

FAQ 03 How do I protect my IP?

FAQ 04 Do I need to apply for these rights?

FAQ 05 How do these rights protect my IP?

FAQ 06 How long do I need to wait to receive my right?

FAQ 07 What do I have before I have the granted right?

FAQ 08 Can I get the patent for something in South Africa that is patented elsewhere?

FAQ 09 Must I do a search before filing an application?

FAQ 10 Are my IP rights not cast in stone?

FAQ 11 What kind of things can I patent?

FAQ 12 Can I patent a business idea?

FAQ 13 Can I patent an app?

FAQ 14 What if my business is not patentable How does this affect my business?

FAQ 15 Can I file a world wide patent?

What our clients say

Nicholas Zoghby

Covidcannon

Roy Taberer gave me the best service I could expect and more when I was looking for a patent lawyer for my solar pool ionizer invention. Having spotted him on YouTube in 2022, I emailed him and got a prompt and warm response. When I eventually consulted with him, I felt extremely at home and was exalted at the level of expertise both in his professional outlook and his exceptional competence. His top class application in both the wording and graphic design, illustrations and drawings exceeded my expectations. Well Done Roy, I’m looking forward to doing business with you in the future.

Duncan Fraser

Independent Software Consultant

I called Taberer Attorneys for advice around an intellectual property ownership dispute and received excellent service. The advice helped us resolve the dispute fairly, leaving all parties happy with the outcome. I would be happy to use Taberer Attorneys again and recommend them to others.

Nicky van Sittert

Bouw Plumbing

Roy has assisted us on various legal issues. The practice is well managed and the overall experience has always been a pleasure, Roy has always been able to steer us into a calm rational space. Thank you for always being available when we need you.

Elize Huyser

Advisor, Legends Sports Memorabilia

Over the past 8 years I’ve worked closely with Mr Taberer as legal advisor for one of his client’s companies and I have witnessed the highly ethical manner in which he conducts himself and I can without a doubt say that I have and will always refer every client to him in future. I have also witnessed him defusing many cases which could have ended in very expensive court battles just showing his ability to rather negotiate settlements than dragging cases out purely for the sake of running up legal bills. This has shown his high standard of integrity which is a rare quality.

Brendan Crompton

New Concept Mining

Having worked with Roy for a number of years I would highly recommend him when it comes to building and managing your IP portfolio. Roy has the fantastic ability to understand the innovative and technical aspects of a concept and to capture them in a comprehensive patent specification. Strategically Roy is skilled at guiding new and experienced patentees through the processes of filing local and international protection and helping you understand how the various processes and timelines work. I’m confident that anyone working with Roy would be expertly guided in building a solid IP strategy and portfolio to secure and maintain one of your most valuable business assets.

Karen Clarke Oosthuis

CEO, FICS

When I met Roy, I can honestly say that “HE GOT ME”.. he listened to my fears and cared enough to take the time to understand the intricacies of my product and business. His wisdom, patience, advice and ability to listen to what is being said and identify what is not being said has moved my fears to that of trust.