ABOUT THE SAIIPL

The South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) was established in 1954 and represents over 140 patent attorneys, patent agents, trade mark practitioners and academics in South Africa who specialise in the field of Intellectual Property Law. The SAIIPL is widely regarded as the custodian of South Africa's intellectual property rights, and comprises practicing attorneys, academics, practitioners in businesses and in general, people interested in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

The members of the SAIIPL represent the majority of national and international businesses who have built their businesses on brands, innovation and technology, and who protect their interests through our country's intellectual property laws. Members of the SAIIPL also represent the interests of their individual firms and clients at a number of local and international organisations such as WIPO, LES, INTA, etc.

The SAIIPL functions through its president, its council and various working committees. One of its main functions is to train trade mark practitioners and patent attorneys. To ensure that its members keep abreast of international trends, the SAIIPL regularly hosts WIPO endorsed round table discussions in South Africa. The SAIIPL also makes regular proposals to government to ensure that South Africa's intellectual property laws keep up and comply with the it's obligations in terms of international treaties and conventions.

Members of the SAIIPL also serve on the Standing Advisory Committee on intellectual property laws.

The SAIIPL's objectives include (Paragraph 4 of the SAIIPL's Constitution):

To maintain a body which is representative of Patent Agents, Patent Attorneys and Trade Mark Practitioners in the Republic;
To frame and establish regulations and rulings for the observance of Patent Agents, Patent Attorneys and Trade Mark Practitioners in all matters appertaining to their professional practice and to promote and maintain high standards of ethics among its members;
To originate and promote amendments in the laws of the Republic relating to intellectual property and the administration thereof and to take steps to oppose legislation which is considered to be detrimental to the interests of the owners of intellectual property or of the profession;
To promote an awareness of and to disseminate information to the public in regard to intellectual property and the protection thereof; To facilitate the acquisition of professional knowledge and information affecting the profession and to promote the interchange thereof among its members;
To collaborate and enter into reciprocal relations with similar Institutes or bodies in other countries;
To provide facilities for social intercourse among its members;
To promote and maintain a standard of professional excellence in the field of intellectual property law and for this purpose:
- to promote intellectual property law as an area of specialisation;
- to support and promote specialist training, examination and assessment in intellectual property law;
- to provide or acquire accreditation for training, examination and assessment in intellectual property law.
To do all such other acts or things which are conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objects or are in the interests of its members or the profession.