In a significant step toward modernising its intellectual property system, South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) announced that, effective 2 February 2026, all patents and patents of addition granted from January 2026 onwards will be issued exclusively in electronic format.

The new digital Letters Patent certificates will include a QR code enabling instant verification of key details, including the patent number, type, patentee, grant date, inventor, and a unique identification number.

Patent holders and the public can access uncertified copies through the CIPC IP Online portal, while certified copies may be requested electronically upon payment of the prescribed fees.

This transition is part of CIPC’s broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening security, and providing faster, more reliable access to patent information.