The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has announced that, with effect from 2 February 2026, all South African patents and patents of addition will be issued electronically. Certified copies will likewise be issued in electronic form only.

Electronically issued patents will include a digital signature, official digital seal, and a QR code for instant verification of information relating to the relevant patent. The information will include the patent number, type of patent, name of patentee, date of grant, name of inventor, and a unique ID.

Uncertified copies may be accessed and downloaded via the CIPC IP Online portal, while certified copies can be requested electronically upon payment of the prescribed fees.

Paper copies will no longer be issued as a matter of course and will be available only on request, with longer processing timelines.

This change forms part of CIPC’s broader digitisation initiative and applies to all patents granted from January 2026 onward.