New Companies and Intellectual Property Commission

The Establishment of the New Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (Cipc)

On 1 April 2011, the new Companies Act of 2008 comes into effect. This important statute is aimed at paving the way forward for economic growth, employment, innovation, stability, good governance and confidence by assisting South African companies to become more competitive internationally. 

The implementation of the Companies Act also heralds the establishment of the new Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) on 1 April 2011.

The Commission is being established to deliver on the Companies Act mandate by bringing together skills, knowledge and manpower from the Office of Companies and Intellectual Property Enforcement (OCIPE) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO).

The CIPC will act independently and will focus on the registration of companies and intellectual property. Additional functions of the CIPC will include education and awareness, investigations, compliance and enforcement. 

Pieter Rautenbach