Marks are valid for a period of ten years from the filing date and can be renewed for further 10 year periods upon payment of the prescribed fee.

Requirements

Trademark Applications

A simply signed power of attorney.

The name, address, nationality and occupation of the owner.
The list of the goods covered by the mark and the classes pertaining thereto.
Prints of the mark.
A certified true copy of the priority document (if applicable) with verified English translation.
The member countries in ARIPO are: Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania (Tanganyika).

Renewal Requirements

The registration number.
Classification of the mark.
The designated states for which renewal is requested.
Simply signed Power of Attorney unless already registered.
Assignment

It is possible to assign any registration or application for registration filed with the ARIPO Office in respect of all or any of the selected states and in respect of all or part of the goods or services, with or without the goodwill.

Assignment Requirements

A deed of assignment signed by both parties.
A Power of Attorney signed by assignee not legalized.
Following registration, the assignment is published in the Journal.

Note: It is not possible to conduct searches centrally in ARIPO; therefore, we would recommend that searches are conducted in the national registers of the member countries of interest

FILING REQUIREMENTS

NON-PCT APPLICATION

1- Power of attorney, simply signed.

2- 1 set of the specification, claims, and an abstract in English.

3- 1 set of the formal drawings, if available.

4- Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed.

5- Deed of assignment.

PCT APPLICATION

(i) Power of Attorney (simply signed) – can be late filed within two months;

(ii) Specification, claims, drawings, and abstract in English – required on the day of filing;

(iii) Assignment of Invention – can be late filed, no set deadline;

(iv)Copy of PCT International advertisement – required on day of filing;

(v)Copy of International Search Report – can be late filed, no set deadline; and

(vi)Copy of International Preliminary Examination Report – can be late filed, no set deadline.

SEARCH OPTIONS

There are search options available for official search as long as they are granted and published in the official gazette.

GRACE PERIOD

6 MONTHS grace period with surcharge for late payment of fees.

ANNUITIES

Also note that annuity fees are payable on pending applications from the anniversary of filing.

FILING REQUIREMENTS

1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. Graphic/ photographic representations of the design.
3. Assignment from the creators (if applicable).
4. Priority documents.

TIME FRAME

8 to 12 months from registration

Please Note: Unlike OAPI, it is not possible to cover all member states, ARIPO applications specifically require the applicant to designate those member States where protection is required.

PROTECTION TERM

10 years