Ethiopia

HOW TO REGISTER A PATENT

Patent protection in Ethiopia is available via a national filing.  According to our information, Ethiopia has not signed any reciprocity agreements as regards the claiming of priority.  However, from previous cases filed for clients in Ethiopia, it appears that the Ethiopian Patent Office is prepared to recognise priority claims provided the application is filed within 12 months of the first claim to priority.

The requirements for filing an application in Ethiopia are as follows:

1. Power of Attorney, signed, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level;
2. Assignment of invention, signed, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level;
3. Description, claims, abstract and drawings in the English language; and
4. Certified copy of the priority application, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level.

Whereas item (c) is required upon filing, items (a), (b) and (d) can be filed up to 30 days after the Ethiopian application filing date.

The cost of filing a patent application in Ethiopia is currently in the region of about US$ 2800.00.  Search and examination fees are payable upon filing at an additional cost of US$ 450.00.

It is possible to file a Patent of Importation in Ethiopia based on any granted patent.  There is no deadline in this respect.

The requirements for filing a Patent of Importation in Ethiopia are as follows:

1. Power of Attorney, signed, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level;
2. Description, claims, abstract and drawings in the English language; and;
3. Certified copy of the granted patent on which the Patent of Importation is based, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level;

Items (b) and (c) are required upon filing.  Item (a) can be lodged within 30 days of filing.

The cost of filing a Patent of Importation in Ethiopia is currently in the region of about US$ 2800.00.

HOW TO REGISTER A TRADE MARK

1.   Filing requirements

1. Full name, street address and description of the applicant (including trading style, if any, and state/country of incorporation, if incorporated).
2. List of goods and/or services.
3. Clear copy of device mark.
4. A notarised Power of Attorney legalised by the competent authorities and the Ethiopian embassy in the relevant country.
5. a certified copy of the original Home Registration Certificate granted in favour of the relevant trademark for use in connection with the same classes applied for in Ethiopia.  If home registration certificate is not available, a certified copy of a Registration Certificate granted anywhere else outside the country of the applicant will suffice provided that such a registration is valid for at least a further one year from date of application here in Ethiopia, and covers at least the relevant class(es) and description of goods or services thereunder.
   
   OR
   
   
6. a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the applicant together with a certified copy of its Trade License(s) corresponding to the same trade in connection with which the relevant trademark is used.

2.   Classification

1. The International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification) is applied. 
2. Multi-class - Yes.

3.   General

1. a) Duration : 7 years from date filing and renewable for further periods of 7 years.
   b) Duration if priority claimed: 7 years from priority date and renewable from further periods of 7 years.

HOW TO REGISTER A DESIGN

Design protection in Ethiopia is available.  According to our information, Ethiopia has not signed any reciprocity agreements as regards the claiming of priority.  However, from previous cases filed for clients in Ethiopia, it appears that the Ethiopian Patent Office is prepared to recognise priority claims provided the application is filed within 6 months of the first claim to priority.

The requirements for filing an application in Ethiopia are as follows:

1. Power of attorney, signed, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level - can be lodged within 1 month of the filing date of the Ethiopian application;
2. Assignment of design, signed, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level - can be lodged within 1 month of the filing date of the Ethiopian application;
3. 4 graphic representations or drawings - required on the day of filing;
4. Certified copy of the priority application, notarised and legalised up to Ethiopian consular level - can be lodged within 1 month of the filing date of the Ethiopian application; and
5. Verified English translation of the priority application (if applicable) - can be lodged within 1 month of the filing date of the Ethiopian application.

The cost of filing a design application in Ethiopia is currently in the region of about US$ 2800.00.