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CIPC: New Trade Mark AI Image Search Functionality
- 09 September 2025
- CIPC
- South African Accounting Academy
Summary:
The Trade Marks Division of CIPC has published a notice and a practice note, advising that they have implemented and rolled out a new trade marks AI image search functionality – effective from 1 September 2025.
Article:
The practice note confirms that from 1 September 2025, CIPC customers are able to conduct trade mark image (logo) searches using the new trade mark AI image search functionality.
The new AI driven trade mark image search functionality will assist users to find comparative images for their intended trade mark logo, easier and quicker.
This trade mark AI image search functionality is available for both comprehensive (full) commercial trade mark searches as well as for the basic (no cost) trade mark search option.
The trade marks e-search functionality is available via the IP Online platform on the CIPC website at: https://iponline.cipc.co.za/.
A user guide and video tutorial for the new trade mark AI search functionality is available via the IP Online platform on the CIPC website at https://iponline.cipc.co.za/Publications/Notices/TradeMarksAIImageSearchUserGuide.pdf
The trade mark e-searching fees in respect of commercial trade mark searches have increased from 1 September 2025 as set out in a table in Practice Note 2 of 2025 – available at https://www.cipc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NOTICE-2-25-AI-SEARCH-TMK-signed.pdf.
Click here to download Notice 38 of 2025:
https://www.cipc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/External-Notice_August-2025_1.pdf
Relevance to Auditors, Independent Reviewers & Accountants:
- The Companies Act is yet another piece of legislation that your clients must comply with, and which you must assess compliance with. If they don’t comply with the relevant laws and regulations, you have certain reporting obligations in terms of NOCLAR (NOn-Compliance with Laws And Regulations) – this could include reporting to management, qualifying your audit opinion, reporting a Reportable Irregularity, etc.
- As an auditor, independent reviewer and accountant, you also need to monitor your client’s compliance with the Companies Act and all relevant notices/enforcements/practice notes/customer letters issued by CIPC as the regulator.
- Where you perform these compliance tasks on behalf of your client, you need to ensure that you comply with all relevant notices/enforcements/practice notes/customer letters issued by CIPC as the regulator.
- As an auditor, independent reviewer and accountant you need to consider the impact of the Companies Act Regulations on your service offerings, as well as new functionalities with regards to CIPC processes.
Relevance to Your clients:
- An entity (company or close corporation) has a duty to comply with the Companies Act, and all relevant notices/enforcements/practice notes/customer letters issued by CIPC as the regulator.