The project will focus on supporting the dtic/CIPC by achieving the following goals and objectives:

• National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis Geographical Indications (GI) system developed
• IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user-friendly services
• SMME supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to potential users of IPRs
• Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of innovation process. 

1 Why South Africa? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

In consultation with South African stakeholders, the activities of the SSAIP project were developed to complement the efforts of the South African government to achieve the goals of the IPP. In support of the IPP, SSAIP will 1) hold an experience sharing workshop in the field of Access and Benefit Sharing; 2) commission a report on the use of compulsory licenses in Switzerland for South African policymakers; and 3) produce a market analysis on the feasibility of a sui generis GI system.IPI experts will provide training to their counterparts at the CIPC in two distinct areas. The first is Assisted Patent Searches and the second regards management and the work of patent examiners. The purpose of this training is to demonstrate how the IPI trains, manages and carries out their duties with regard to patent searches.

In order to assist SEDA and DSBD to better communicate with stakeholders, particularly the most disadvantaged, SSAIP will assist with the creation of a web platform to assist Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to access information on how to obtain and protect their IPRs. In addition, training and support in conducting a Public Education and Awareness (PE&A) campaign will be provided. PE&A campaigns aim to educate relevant members of the public on the benefits of using IPRs.

Finally, SSAIP supports representatives of academia and research institutions and specific SMMEs on how best to commercialize their protected IP assets. This support includes trainings on negotiating techniques and options on commercialization. Further trainings could include IP asset valuations and IP portfolio management.

1 Why South Africa? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

The South African government began developing a strategy for IP development through its Intellectual Property Consultative Framework (IPCF). The IPCF focused on aligning South Africa’s IP regime to its National Development Plan and Constitution and aimed to develop a coordinated intergovernmental approach to IP, stimulate innovation, attract foreign direct investment and technology transfers, and promote public health.

In 2018, the dtic released the IPP which builds on the IPCF and is a first phase, which will be developed over the medium term into a more comprehensive IP strategy. Some paraphrased key reforms that it outlines include:

• The introduction of substantive search and examination (SSE) for patents, which is a key step towards ensuring that the patent regime fulfils its purpose of stimulating genuine innovation;
• The leveraging of flexibilities contained in the TRIPS Agreement to ensure that South Africa protects IPRs while simultaneously promoting public health, local manufacture, research and development, innovation, food security, environmental considerations, transfer of technology and broad socio-economic development;
• A coordinated approach to creating awareness about IP among South Africans, so as to protect nationally-owned IP that is related to indigenous resources, traditional innovation and traditional knowledge;

1 Why South Africa? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

Project duration
January 2020 – December 2023

Total budget
CHF 1,450,000

Donor agency
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs – SECO

Implementing partners
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI

Department of Trade, Industry and Competition – dtic

South Africa country context 2018
Population: 57.78 million
Area: 1,219,100 km²
Annual GDP growth: 0.8%
Gross National Income per capita: USD 5,750

1 Why South Africa? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts