With the coming into force of the New Patent Act on 1st December 1997, it is no longer possible to re-register United Kingdom granted patents. Protection is now obtained through the national or PCT route.

On 1 January 1998 a new South African Law came into force regarding the above territories where in the past independent protection for patents, trade marks and designs could only be obtained by separate registration. Under the new Law, South African patent, trade mark and design registrations now automatically extend to these territories unless there exists a separate registered and maintained right in one or all of the territories. The practical implication of this is that it is now no...