Trademark Search

Is your brand name free to use?

Search the Official Trade Marks Register to avoid costly conflicts before investing in your brand.

Trademark Self-Search in South Africa

NOTE: Similar marks (by look, sound or meaning) in related classes could be a problem. This database is not official. Results are incomplete and marks may be missing. Get full official records or a trusted PROFESSIONAL SEARCH to confirm availability.

ENTER YOUR BRAND NAME OR SLOGAN THE OWNER’S NAME THE APPLICATION NUMBER (eg. 2023/12345)

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OR PASTE MULTIPLE NUMBERS

FIND YOUR GOODS OR SERVICES or SELECT CLASS for better results.

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Quick Search

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Quick check
Search of exact and very similar marks on the SA TM register only
Main classes
We consider your primary classes only
Brief opinion
Our experts provide an opinion based on the most similar marks found
Uncertain
The search is narrow and can’t confirm availability
Recommended

Full Search

R2990

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Register search
Search of SA Trade Marks Register for potential conflicts
All classes
We consider all related classes of goods and services
Results list
Get an extensive list of potentially conflicting marks
Assessment
Opinion on chance of successful registration
Recommended

Marketplace + Full Search

R5990


Full Search plus:
Domain names
Search for identical and very similar website names
Company names
Search of the CIPC company register for exact and similar names
Common law trademarks
Search of websites, social media sites and other sources for exact and similar names

Frequent questions

What are trademark classes?

Trademarks are classified in 45 different categories in accordance with the International Classification of Goods and Services – 34 for goods and 11 for services.

You can see a list of the classes the FAQ answer below – or search for your goods or service by name in our class search above.

These classes are not strict categories. For example identical marks used for

  • clothing in class 25 and retail of clothing in class 35 are likely to be confusingly similar
  • software and sunglasses, both in class 9, are not similar.


Our experts will recommend the correct classes in our search report after you describe your business to us.

Our self-search only shows you the class a trade mark is in. To see the exact goods or service we will need to obtain the record from the Official Trade Marks Database with more details.

Your trademark will only be protected for those goods and services covered and each class requires a separate application at additional costs. So the more classes you file in the broader your protection is.

Each class will contain a number of goods or services and it is not always obvious which class is the most appropriate for your goods or services. Our experts will assist you with this of course.

List the 45 classes.

The 45 different categories of trademark classes in terms of the International Classification of Goods and Services – 34 for goods and 11 for services – are as follows:

CLASS 1 – Chemicals

Chemicals for use in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; fire extinguishing and fire prevention compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; substances for tanning animal skins and hides; adhesives for use in industry; putties and other paste fillers; compost, manures, fertilizers; biological preparations for use in industry and science

CLASS 2 – Paints

Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants, dyes; inks for printing, marking and engraving; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art

CLASS 3 – Cosmetics and Cleaning Substances

Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; non-medicated dentifrices; perfumery, essential oils; bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations

CLASS 4 – Industrial Oils

Industrial oils and greases, wax; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting

CLASS 5 – Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for human beings and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides

CLASS 6 – Common Metals

Common metals and their alloys, ores; metal materials for building and construction; transportable buildings of metal; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; small items of metal hardware; metal containers for storage or transport; safes

CLASS 7 – Machines

Machines, machine tools, power-operated tools; motors and engines, except for land vehicles; machine coupling and transmission components, except for land vehicles; agricultural implements, other than hand-operated hand tools; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines

CLASS 8 – Hand Tools

Hand tools and implements, hand-operated; cutlery; side arms, except firearms; razors

CLASS 9 – Computers and Scientific Devices, Software

Scientific, research, navigation, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, audiovisual, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, detecting, testing, inspecting, life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling the distribution or use of electricity; apparatus and instruments for recording, transmitting, reproducing or processing sound, images or data; recorded and downloadable media, computer software, blank digital or analogue recording and storage media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating devices; computers and computer peripheral devices; diving suits, divers’ masks, ear plugs for divers, nose clips for divers and swimmers, gloves for divers, breathing apparatus for underwater swimming; fire-extinguishing apparatus

CLASS 10 – Medical Supplies

Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopaedic articles; suture materials; therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for the disabled; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity apparatus, devices and articles

CLASS 11 – Appliances

Apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating, cooking, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes

CLASS 12 – Vehicles

Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water

CLASS 13 – Firearms

Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks

CLASS 14 – Precious Metals

Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments

CLASS 15 – Musical Instruments

Musical instruments; parts and accessories for musical instruments

CLASS 16 – Paper Goods

Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks

CLASS 17 – Rubber Products

Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials and not included in other classes; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal

CLASS 18 – Leather Goods

Leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of these materials and not included in other classes; animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags; umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks; whips, harness and saddlery

CLASS 19 – Building Materials

Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal

CLASS 20 – Furniture

Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; goods (not included in other classes) of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, or of plastics

CLASS 21 – Household Utensils

Household or kitchen utensils and containers (not of precious metal or coated therewith); combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool; unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes

CLASS 22 – Ropes and Textile Products

Ropes, string, netting, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks and bags (not included in other classes); padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics); raw fibrous textile materials

CLASS 23 – Yarns and Threads

Yarns and threads, for textile use

CLASS 24 – Textiles

Textiles and textile goods, not included in other classes; bed and table covers

CLASS 25 – Clothing, Footwear, Headgear

Clothing, footwear, headgear

CLASS 26 – Lace, Embroidery, Ribbons, Braids, Ornaments

Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers

CLASS 27 – Floor Coverings

Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings (non-textile)

CLASS 28 – Games, Toys, Sports Equipment

Games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes; decorations for Christmas trees

CLASS 29 – Meats and Processed Produce

Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, fruit sauces; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats

CLASS 30 – Powderer Drinks (Coffee, Tea), Grains, Cereals, Breads, Baked Goods

Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, artificial coffee; flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, ices

CLASS 31 – Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Products

Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products and grains not included in other classes; living animals; fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds, natural plants and flowers; foodstuffs for animals, malt

CLASS 32 – Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Syrups; Beers

Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages

CLASS 33 – Alcoholic Beverages (Except Beers)

Alcoholic beverages (except beers)

CLASS 34 – Tobacco, Smokers’ Articles, Matches

Tobacco, smokers’ articles, matches

CLASS 35 – Advertising, Retail, E-commerce, Business Management, Business Administration, Office Functions

Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions

CLASS 36 – Insurance, Financial Affairs, Monetary Affairs

Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs

CLASS 37 – Building Construction, Repair, Installation Services

Building construction; repair; installation services

CLASS 38 – Telecommunications

Telecommunications

CLASS 39 – Transport, Packaging and Storage of Goods, Travel Arrangement

Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement

CLASS 40 – Treatment of Materials

Treatment of materials

CLASS 41 – Education, Providing of Training, Entertainment, Sporting and Cultural Activities

Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities

CLASS 42 – Online Software, Scientific, Design, Programming and Technological Services

Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software

CLASS 43 – Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, Services for Providing Food and Drink, Temporary Accommodation

Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation

CLASS 44 – Medical, Beauty and Agricultural Services

Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services

CLASS 45 – Legal Services, Security Services, Personal and Social Services Rendered by Others to Meet the Needs of Individuals

Legal services; security services for the protection of property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals


Will a search of the Trade Marks Register find all possible conflicts?

It will find the most important conflicts on the official Trade Marks Register. However, it may not not necessarily find all conflicts.

There may be unregistered “common law” trademarks in use. A common law trademark may be unregistered but has has a protectable reputation through use. A common law trademark is not as powerful as a registered trademark but could block the registration of a trademark if it was used first.

This is why it’s a good idea to search for similar company names and domain names and for similar marks on the internet, online platforms and other listings. These are included in our marketplace + full search package.

It is also possible that someone else has filed a confusingly similar mark in another country. If they file a ‘priority application’ in South Africa, they may be able to claim an earlier filing date (up to 6 months earlier) which could be before your own filing date and prevent your mark’s registration. An international search may be able to locate such potential conflicts.

How are trademarks compared?

A trade mark is not registrable if it is confusingly similar by look, sound or meaning to an existing mark covering similar goods or services. But if the goods or services are unrelated even identical marks can co-exist (for example PUMA shoes and PUMA fuel).

If you find potential conflicting marks contact us to get the official records and see if it may be an obstacle to registration and, if so, if there are ways of overcoming it.

Or get a professional search and we will examine all potential conflicts.

How long does it take to get my registrability search results?

Within 3-4 business days we will send you the search report containing a list of conflicting marks, a discussion of the most problematic marks and an opinion on the registrability of your mark.

How many classes does the search cover?

Our full registrability search covers all relevant classes of goods or services for R2990.

A quick search covers your main classes for R990.

Related services

Register a trademark

Get exclusive rights to a name, symbol or slogan that distinguishes your business.

Monitor trademarks

Protect your brand by being alerted of potential infringements.

Stop infringers

Take action against others using your brand, company name or creative works without permission.

Contact us

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