Sibanda & Zantwijk Patent Attorneys was established in 2007. Initially, the law firm focussed exclusively on international commercialisation of intellectual property and on assisting South African Treasury with intellectual property tax policy. During 2009, S&Z created a separate division that focussed exclusively on filing patents and designs for the “man on the street”.

Over the past 10 years, S&Z has also developed an online patent, trademark and design renewal system. The savings generated by this renewal system has resulting in most South African multinationals and Universities, and many foreign multinational companies migrating their renewal portfolios to S&Z. Today, S&Z is one of the largest online processors of renewal payments.

During 2012, S&Z started an in-house product prototyping department, with product designer Monica creating affordable CAD models, 3D printed prototypes and photorealistic posters for inventors itching to bring their inventions to life. Since 2014, S&Z has registered trademarks, and in 2017, S&Z was appointed as the exclusive South African agent of GlobalIPCo – a global online patent, trademark and design filing system. This tie-up significantly increased filings by S&Z. Today, S&Z offers the full suite of patent, trademark, design, commercial, tax, exchange control and valuation services at highly competitive pricing.

S&Z Areas of Law