CIPC Annual Report V1

Table B.18 illustrates the uptake of channels using company registration in the period 1 April – 30 June 2021, as an example. Table B. 18: Uptake of channels for company registration Channel Volume % ABSA 0 0.00% First National Bank 3828 2.89% Nedbank 781 0.59% Standard Bank 0 0.00% Intermediary 0 0.00% SST CIPC 3104 2.34% E-services 91477 69.05% Manual 1103 0.83% BizPortal 30812 23.26% Conversion 649 0.49% CIPC mobile 733 0.55%

Education and awareness as well as voluntary compliance To increase awareness of the CIPC and its partners’ services, channels and compliance requirements, as well as improve compliance with corporate and IP laws, the CIPC conducts education and awareness sessions. The CIPC’s Education and Awareness Programme is targeted at small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), institutions of higher learning, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and schools. Over the years, the CIPC has seen a need to support, and therefore, increase the protection of local innovation and creativity by providing more information on IP rights and by raising awareness of the opportunities that could arise from formalising IP rights through registrations. In collaboration with its partners – local and international - the CIPC conducts many education and awareness events per year. This year alone, 74 such events were held. Annual events such as World IP Day and IP Summer School also contribute to the IP education and awareness programme. The public has responded positively to these efforts. The CIPC, in collaboration with local and international partners, in this case WIPO, has introduced innovative programmes such as the IP for SMMEs in South Africa and the Inventor Assistance Programme. The IP for SMME Capacity Development Programme is a national flagship programme spearheaded by the CIPC in partnership WIPO and the National Task Force Team comprised of the dtic , Department of Small Business Development, Small Enterprise Development Agency, NIPMO, and several research institutions. The programme aims to increase IP awareness, build capacity and make the

patent system more accessible to financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses, respectively, thus ensuring that there is more inclusivity in the use of the IP system. The project has two main objectives firstly, to enhance SMME competitiveness through the effective use and management of intellectual property (IP) assets, and secondly, to strengthen the institutional capacity of SMME support institutions (also known as SMME Intermediaries) in delivering IP-related services to their stakeholders. The education and awareness events reached groups such as SMMEs, institutes of higher learning, and schools. This has expanded knowledge about the CIPC’s services, about available channels as well as promoting voluntary compliance. IP enforcement The Copyright and IP Enforcement Unit uses three main platforms to build respect for IP. These include a continued focus on collaboration capacity, training, and targeted awareness. Creating awareness is crucial in the fight against counterfeit goods. Participating and presenting at various local and international events assisted to raise the level of awareness on the value and respect for IPR. Selling counterfeit goods online, specifically fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceuticals is a huge threat to consumers and IP rights owners. Combating counterfeit trade is a global priority as it is to the CIPC. One of the strategies is to change consumer behaviour not to purchase counterfeit goods. This strategy requires new skills that the CIPC does not have currently. Further, because the IP rights

COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION I Annual Report 2020/21

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