Concerns About Cipro's Mess

The Cape Chamber of Commerce says it is concerned about long delays in the processing applications by CIPRO, the Companies and Intellectual Properties Registration Office, and the effect that this could have on business. Of particular concern are unnecessary delays of more than a year in registering trademarks.

Mr Joe Emeran, President of the Chamber, said the delays could have an adverse effect on decisions to invest in this country and hamper innovation and the development of industry.

“South Africa is a signatory to the International Convention on Intellectual Property and as such there are very stringent reciprocal protocols that have to be adhered to. Currently, we are in danger of failing to meet our obligations and more importantly we will be unable to grant the protection for local innovations that will allow the business community to compete on an equal footing in the global market.

“The protection afforded to local business allows them to enter lucrative overseas markets without fear of unfair competition provided the protocols referred to, are in place and can be exercised in order to gain that crucial advantage that it is supposed to,” he said.

At present CIPRO is without a CEO. Its website says it has been experiencing “network and infrastructure problems for the last couple of weeks” and it is waiving penalties and extending deadlines for the late filing of annual company reports.

Mr Emeran said it was vital to address these problems quickly as business opportunities were being lost and the Government might have to address claims for lost revenue if the situation was not rectified.

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