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The National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in South Africa, was established through the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development IPR Act (No. 51 of 2008).
IRP Act enables the identification, protection, utilisation and commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) from publicly funded research and development.
Through strategic guidance, regulatory oversight of specific IP transactions, financial incentives, targeted support for institutional offices of technology transfer, general IP advocacy and awareness initiatives, and legislative enforcement, NIPMO ensures that publicly funded IP contributes meaningfully to national development and advances South Africa’s knowledge economy.
Our Functions
What we do
NIPMO enforces the IPR Act, ensuring that outputs from publicly financed research and development benefits the nation.
NIPMO responsibilities include:
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Developing and maintaining guidelines, practice notes and NIPMO interpretation notes to assist in complying with the IPR Act and Regulations. Access all compliance and information documents under the Resource Tab
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Reviewing and responding to collaborative research agreements, ensuring fair commercialisation provisions and alignment with national policies.
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Evaluating IP referred to NIPMO to determine the feasibility of statutory protection or alternative approaches, such as advertisement on the Innovation Bridge Portal.
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NIPMO engages in advocacy and awareness activities to strengthen the national IP ecosystem and promote a culture of innovation.
NIPMO responsibilities include:
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Promoting IP awareness through workshops and stakeholder engagement, celebration of the International World IP day (26 April) and hosting IP Wise workshops for students, SMEs, TVET colleges and interested public stakeholders
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Encouraging the adoption of best practices in IP management across institutions.
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Institution led regional Technology Transfer Forums
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Advocating for the role of IP in socio-economic development to broader audiences and facilitating the establishment of Technology Innovations Support Centres across South African (in collaboration with partners).
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NIPMO provides financial assistance to institutions through 2 established funding mechanisms namely OTT Support Fund and IP Fund.
Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) Support Fund:
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The OTT Support Fund, established by NIPMO in 2011 aims to empower institutions to establish and maintain OTTs. It provides financial support for salaries, operational costs, capacity development and technology transfer activities as set out in the OTT Support Fund Guideline (Guideline 7).
IP Fund:
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The NIPMO IP Fund, established under Section 13 of the IPR Act, provides financial support to institutions for securing and maintaining statutory IP rights. The fund operates annually, providing up to 50% rebate (subject to the availability of funds) for eligible costs. Institutions are required to submit an application detailing all costs incurred by 30 June each year. These applications are reviewed in accordance with the IP Fund Guideline (Guideline 2) to determine qualifying costs.
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NIPMO ensures IP management and Technology Transfer skills are developed and enhance through hosting certificate training courses.
NIPMO responsibilities include:
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Co-hosting South Africa WIPO Summer School
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Access to WIPO distant learning courses
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Hosting of the Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISC) workshops
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Facilitating additional training and capacity-building programs.
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NIPMO issues guidelines and other related resources to assist stakeholder with the interpretation and implementation of the IPR Act.
NIPMO resources include:
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Guidelines on IP ownership, scope of the IPR Act, IP policy, operations of the OTT Support Fund, IP Fund and more
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Practice Notes on completion of IP1 and IP7 forms, how to lodge a dispute and more
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Interpretation Notes on co-ownership provisions, data management and IPR Act, IP transactions approval, explanation of legislative forms and more
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NIPMO ensures that institutions include benefit-sharing provisions, as required by the IPR Act, into their institutional policies, while also recognising and incentivising IP creators and innovators for their contributions to South Africa’s innovation ecosystem
Benefit Sharing:
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NIPMO ensures that institutions include fair and transparent benefit-sharing provisions in their IP policies, as required by the IPR Act.
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Reviewing and approving institutional policies on revenue and non-monetary benefit-sharing to ensure alignment with the Act.
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Monitoring institutional compliance with approved benefit sharing policies.
Incentives:
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NIPMO promotes IP protection and commercialisation by recognising and rewarding IP creators, innovators and institutions.
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Issuing Certificates of Recognition to IP creators for granted South African patents or Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR).
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Collaborating on specific innovation award categories with external partners.
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Supporting the implementation of the innovation subsidy for higher education institutions in partnership with DHET
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NIPMO ensures compliance with the IPR Act by monitoring and evaluating institutions’ IP management activities.
NIPMO responsibilities include:
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Maintaining a confidential register of IP disclosures, commercialisation efforts, and transactions.
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Reviewing non-commercialised IP and recommending actions, such as licensing adjustments or reassignment to NIPMO.
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Assist with conducting the South African National Survey of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer at Publicly Funded Research Institutions
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Assisting stakeholders and the public with IP-related queries.
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NIPMO ensures that IP from publicly funded R&D is managed responsibly to deliver value and socio-economic benefits to South Africa.
NIPMO responsibilities include:
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Reviewing and, if all requirements are met, approving IP transactions submitted to NIPMO, including royalty-free non-exclusive licenses (local and offshore), for commercial purpose
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Providing guidance on offshore IP transactions, ensuring compliance with the IPR Act and alignment with national priorities.
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Monitoring non-commercialised IP and recommending actions to promote utilisation and benefit the Republic
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What drives us
Mission
To ensure the effective identification, protection and utilisation of intellectual property emanating from publicly funded research and development, aligned with the IPR Act, while building capacity, raising awareness and enabling partnerships that unlock South Africa’s innovation potential for economic and social development.
Vision
A South Africa where intellectual property from publicly funded research and development, supported through effective regulation and strategic collaboration, fuels innovation, inclusive growth and sustainable socio-economic transformation
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NIPMO Advisory Board and Dispute Panel
The Advisory Board advises NIPMO on the performance of its functions, the exercise of its powers, the execution of its duties, including providing guidance and assistance to NIPMO in the implementation of the IPR Act and these regulations.
The Advisory Board is accountable to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation for its performance and on an annual basis provides the Minister with a report detailing its advice to both the Minister and NIPMO.
The Advisory Board generally consists of no fewer than five (5), but not more than nine (9) members, appointed by the Minister. The Chairperson presides over the meetings and the Head of NIPMO is an ex-officio member of the Advisory Board.
The Dispute panel is established by the Minister to hear and determine disputes regarding the administrative decisions of NIPMO. It is accountable to the Minister for its actions and must on an annual basis provide the Minister with a report detailing a summary of its activities and decisions.
The Dispute Panel generally consists of at least five (5) but no more than twenty (20) members with experience and expertise in areas relating to at least, intellectual property protection and management, commercialisation, dispute resolution and business.
A sitting of the Dispute Panel for any matter is generally made up of at least three (3) members selected by the Chairperson of the Dispute Panel in consultation with the parties to the dispute.