WIPO Lex, Member Profile, South Africa

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Main IP Laws (7 texts)

Title	Version	Dates	Subject Matter
Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, 2018 (Act No. 12 of 2018)	2019	Published : March 29, 2019 Assented : March 27, 2019	Plant Variety Protection
Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act, 2019 (Act No. 6 of 2019)	2019	Published : August 19, 2019 Assented : August 13, 2019	Traditional Knowledge (TK) Traditional Cultural Expressions IP Regulatory Body Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Patents Act, 1978 (Act No. 57 of 1978, amended up to Act No. 58 of 2002)	2003	Amended up to : January 15, 2003 Commenced : January 1, 1979 Published : May 17, 1978 Assented : April 26, 1978	Patents (Inventions) IP Regulatory Body
Copyright Act, 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978, amended up to Act No. 9 of 2002)	2002	Amended up to : June 25, 2002 Commenced : January 1, 1979 Published : June 30, 1978 Assented : June 20, 1978	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) IP Regulatory Body
Designs Act, 1993 (Act No. 195 of 1993, amended up to Act No. 38 of 1997)	1997	Amended up to : October 1, 1997 Commenced : May 1, 1995 Published : January 5, 1994 Assented : December 22, 1993	Industrial Designs Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits
Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act No. 194 of 1993)	1993	Commenced : May 1, 1995 Published : January 5, 1994 Assented : December 22, 1993	Trademarks Geographical Indications
Performer's Protection Act, 1967 (Act No. 11 of 1967)	1967	Commenced : December 30, 1967 Published : February 22, 1967 Assented : February 10, 1967	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)

Laws/Regulations (69 texts)

Type of Text	Title	Version	Dates	Subject Matter
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit-Sharing Amendments Regulations, 2015	2015	Entry into force : May 19, 2015 Adopted : May 19, 2015	Patents (Inventions) Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Genetic Resources Traditional Knowledge (TK) Other
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Regulations No. R.675 of 2010 of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act 2008	2010	Entry into force : August 2, 2010 Adopted : August 2, 2010	Patents (Inventions) Utility Models Trademarks Domain Names Transfer of Technology
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Patent Regulations, No. R6247 of December 15, 1978, as amended by Government Notice No. R1181 in Government Gazette No. 29413 of 1 December 2006	2006	Adopted : December 15, 1978	Patents (Inventions)
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Regulations on the Establishment of Collecting Societies in the Music Industry	2006	Adopted : June 1, 2006	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Trade Marks Regulations 1995 (GN R578 of April 21, 1995, as amended by GN R1180 of December 1, 2006)	2006	Entry into force : May 1, 1995 Adopted : April 21, 1995	Trademarks Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body Other
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Patents Examination Regulations 2003	2003	Adopted : January 17, 2003	Patents (Inventions)
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Designs Regulations 1999	1999	Adopted : December 1, 2006 Entry into force : July 2, 1999	Industrial Designs
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Regulations on Plant Breeders' Rights 1997	1997	Adopted : September 12, 1997	Plant Variety Protection
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Copyright Regulations 1978 (as amended by GN 1375 in GG 9807 of June 28, 1985)	1985	Entry into force : January 1, 1979 Adopted : December 22, 1978	Trademarks Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body
Implementing Rules/Regulations	Registration of Copyright in Cinematograph Films Regulations 1980	1980	Entry into force : November 1, 1980 Adopted : October 24, 1980	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body
IP-related Laws	National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004, as amended up to the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act 2013)	2013	Adopted : May 31, 2004	Genetic Resources Traditional Knowledge (TK) Other
IP-related Laws	Films and Publications Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 3 of 2009)	2009	Entry into force : August 28, 2009	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
IP-related Laws	Consumer Protection Act 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008)	2008		Trademarks Trade Names Competition Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
IP-related Laws	Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008 (Act No. 51 of 2008)	2008	Commenced : August 2, 2010 Published : December 22, 2008 Assented : December 17, 2008	Patents (Inventions) Transfer of Technology IP Regulatory Body
IP-related Laws	Technology Innovation Agency Act 2008 (Act No. 26 of 2008)	2008	Entry into force : April 24, 2008 Adopted : January 1, 2008	Patents (Inventions)
IP-related Laws	Genetically Modified Organisms Amendment Act 2006	2006	Entry into force : April 17, 2007	Other
IP-related Laws	Merchandise Marks Act, 1941 (Act No. 17 of 1941, amended up to Act No. 61 of 2002)	2003	Commenced : October 18, 1941 Published : April 17, 1941 Assented : April 7, 1941	Trademarks
IP-related Laws	Medicines and Related Substances Act 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965, as amended 2002)	2002	Adopted : January 1, 1965	Patents (Inventions) Trademarks Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body
IP-related Laws	Counterfeit Goods Act 1997 (Act No. 37 of 1997, as amended by Counterfeit Goods Amendment Act 2001)	2001	Entry into force : October 30, 2001 Adopted : October 24, 2001	Patents (Inventions) Trademarks Geographical Indications Trade Names Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits Competition Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Domain Names Industrial Property
IP-related Laws	National Heritage Council Act 1999 (Act No.11 of 1999)	1999	Adopted : April 14, 1999	Traditional Cultural Expressions Traditional Knowledge (TK) Other
IP-related Laws	National Heritage Resources Act 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999)	1999	Adopted : April 28, 1999	Traditional Cultural Expressions
IP-related Laws	National Research Foundation Act 1998 (Act No. 23 of 1998)	1998	Adopted : January 1, 1998	Patents (Inventions) Transfer of Technology
IP-related Laws	South African Geographical Names Council Act 1998 (Act No. 118 of 1998)	1998	Adopted : December 2, 1998	Geographical Indications IP Regulatory Body Other
IP-related Laws	Counterfeit Goods Act 1997 (Act No. 37 of 1977)	1997	Entry into force : January 1, 1998 Adopted : September 19, 0197	Utility Models Trademarks Geographical Indications Competition Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Industrial Property
IP-related Laws	Genetically Modified Organisms 1997 Act (Act No. 15 of 1997)	1997	Adopted : May 20, 1997	Other
IP-related Laws	Legal Deposit Act 1997 (Act No. 54 of 1997)	1997	Adopted : November 6, 1997	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
IP-related Laws	National Advisory Council on Innovation Act 1997 (Act No. 55 of 1997)	1997		Patents (Inventions)
IP-related Laws	Films and Publications Act 1996 (Act No. 65 of 1996)	1996	Adopted : November 8, 1996	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
IP-related Laws	Intellectual Property Laws Rationalisation Act, 1996 (Act No. 107 of 1996)	1996	Commenced : January 1, 1998 Published : November 27, 1996 Assented : November 12, 1996	Patents (Inventions) Industrial Designs Trademarks Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
IP-related Laws	Nuclear Energy Act 1993 (Act No. 131 of 1993)	1993	Entry into force : March 1, 1994 Adopted : September 24, 1993	Patents (Inventions) Other
IP-related Laws	Registration of Copyright in Cinematograph Films Act, 1977 (Act No. 62 of 1977)	1977	Commenced : November 1, 1980 Published : May 26, 1977 Assented : May 11, 1977	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
IP-related Laws	"Vlaglied" Copyright Act, 1974 (Act No. 9 of 1974)	1974	Commenced : March 6, 1974 Published : March 6, 1974 Assented : February 26, 1974	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
IP-related Laws	Unauthorized Use of Emblems Act 1961 (Act No. 37 of 1961)	1961	Adopted : May 31, 1961	Trademarks
IP-related Laws	"Stem van Suid-Afrika" Copyright Act, 1959 (Act No. 2 of 1959)	1959	Commenced : February 20, 1959 Published : February 20, 1959 Assented : February 12, 1959	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
Framework Laws	Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (amended up to Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act of 2012)	2013	Amended up to : August 23, 2013 Commenced : February 4, 1997 Promulgated : December 18, 1996 Assented : December 16, 1996	Other
Framework Laws	Criminal Procedure Act 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977, as amended up to Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act 2010)	1977	Entry into force : July 22, 1977 Adopted : April 21, 1977	Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
Framework Laws	Arbitration Act 1965 (Act No. 42 of 1965)	1965	Entry into force : April 14, 1965 Adopted : April 5, 1965	Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Companies Act 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008)	2011	Entry into force : May 1, 2011 Adopted : April 9, 2009	Trade Names Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Science and Technology Laws Amendment Act 2011 (Act No. 16 of 2011)	2011	Adopted : January 1, 2011	Patents (Inventions) Transfer of Technology
Other Texts	Human Sciences Research Council Act 2008 (Act No. 17 of 2008)	2010	Entry into force : June 9, 2010 Adopted : June 9, 2010	Patents (Inventions)
Other Texts	Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13 of 2009)	2009	Entry into force : May 27, 2009 Adopted : May 25, 2009	Patents (Inventions) Utility Models Industrial Designs Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
Other Texts	Competition Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 1 of 2009)	2009	Entry into force : August 28, 2009 Adopted : August 1, 2009	Competition
Other Texts	Human Sciences Research Council Act 2008 (Act No. 17 of 2008)	2008	Adopted : September 23, 2008	Patents (Inventions) Industrial Designs Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Traditional Knowledge (TK)
Other Texts	Liquor Products Amendment 2008 Act (Act No. 32 of 2008)	2008	Entry into force : November 24, 2008 Adopted : November 17, 2008	Trademarks Geographical Indications Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Standards Act 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008)	2008	Entry into force : July 18, 2008	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
Other Texts	South African Red Cross Society and Legal Protection of Certain Emblems Act 2007 (Act No. 10 of 2007)	2007	Adopted : August 9, 2007	Trademarks Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body Other
Other Texts	Electronic Communications Act 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)	2006	Entry into force : April 18, 2006 Adopted : April 18, 2006	Competition Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Labor Relations Act 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995, as amended up to Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 2004)	2004	Entry into force : November 11, 1996 Adopted : November 29, 1995	Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
Other Texts	Liquor Act 2003 (Act No. 59 of 2003)	2004	Entry into force : August 13, 2004 Adopted : April 20, 2004	Trademarks Geographical Indications Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Methylated Spirits Regulations, 2004	2004	Adopted : August 17, 2004	Geographical Indications Other
Other Texts	International Trade Administration Act 2002 (Act No.71 of 2002)	2002	Adopted : December 30, 2002	Competition Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Other
Other Texts	Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act (Act No. 59 of 2002)	2002	Entry into force : January 17, 2003 Adopted : December 30, 2002	Patents (Inventions) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Regulations No. R.223 of March 9, 2001 relating to the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000)	2001	Entry into force : March 9, 2001 Adopted : March 9, 2001	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 2000 (Act No. 13 of 2000, as amended up to Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Amendment Act 2006)	2000	Entry into force : May 11, 2000 Adopted : May 1, 2000	Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) IP Regulatory Body Other
Other Texts	National Health Laboratory Service Act 2000 (Act No. 37 of 2000)	2000	Adopted : December 5, 2000	Patents (Inventions) Trademarks Other
Other Texts	Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000)	2000	Entry into force : March 9, 2001 Adopted : February 2, 2000	Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
Other Texts	Broadcasting Act 1999 (Act No. 4 of 1999)	1999	Adopted : April 23, 1999	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
Other Texts	Competition Act 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998)	1998	Adopted : January 1, 1998	Competition
Other Texts	The National Library of South Africa Act 1998 (Act No. 92 of 1998)	1998	Adopted : November 2, 1998	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Other
Other Texts	The South African Library for the Blind Act 1998 (Act No. 91 of 1998)	1998	Adopted : October 20, 1998	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Other
Other Texts	National Film and Video Foundation Act 1997 (Act No. 73 of 1997)	1997	Adopted : November 26, 1997	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights)
Other Texts	National Archives of South Africa Act 1996 (Act No. 43 of 1996)	1996	Adopted : September 27, 1996	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other
Other Texts	Plant Improvement Act 1976 (Act No. 53 of 1976)	1996	Adopted : November 22, 1996 Entry into force : June 1, 1980	Plant Variety Protection Other
Other Texts	Regulations relating to the Labeling, Advertising and Sale of Tobacco Products de 1994 (GN 2063 in GG 16111 of December 2, 1994, as amended by GN R1148 in GG 16588 of August 4, 1995)	1995	Entry into force : May 31, 1995 Adopted : December 2, 1994	Trademarks
Other Texts	Tobacco Products Control Act 1993 (Act No. 83 of 1993, as amended up to Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2008)	1994	Entry into force : February 1, 1994 Adopted : June 23, 1993	Industrial Designs Trademarks Trade Names Enforcement of IP and Related Laws
Other Texts	Liquor Products Act 1989 (Act No. 60 of 1989, as amended by Liquor Products Amendment Act 1993)	1993	Entry into force : July 1, 1990 Adopted : May 17, 1989	Trademarks Geographical Indications Trade Names Undisclosed Information (Trade Secrets) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws IP Regulatory Body
Other Texts	The Scientific Research Council Act 1988 (Act No. 46 of 1988, as amended by Act No. 71 of 1990)	1990	Adopted : June 1, 1888	Patents (Inventions) Transfer of Technology
Other Texts	Business Names Act 1960 (Act No. 27 of 1960, as amended up to Transfer of Powers and Duties of the State President Act 1986)	1986	Entry into force : April 1, 1960 Adopted : March 25, 1960	Trademarks Trade Names
Other Texts	Heraldry Act 1962 (Act No. 18 of 1962, as amended up to Cultural Laws Amendment Act 36 of 2001)	1962	Entry into force : June 1, 1962 Adopted : March 7, 1962	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights) Enforcement of IP and Related Laws Other

South Africa

(76 texts)

Main IP Laws (7 texts)

Laws/Regulations (69 texts)