Trademark
Quick Answer
What is Trademark?
A trademark is a registered name or logo giving exclusive brand rights in its class of goods or services.
Trademark explained
Registered at CIPC for about R590 per class, renewed every 10 years. Company registration and domain names do not protect a brand – only a trademark does.
Who it applies to: Any business with a brand worth protecting.
Cost: About R590 per class plus renewal each decade.
Related terms and guides
Official source: CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
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Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.