Liberia

HOW TO REGISTER A TRADE MARK

For more information on ARIPO Trade Mark Registrations click here. 

1.     The requirements for filing applications in Liberia are as follows: 

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. A simply signed power of attorney, however, very rarely, a legalised power of attorney is requested by the Registrar.
4. Clear print of mark.

2.   Classification

1. The 45 classes of the International Classification (Nice Agreement) are followed.
2. Multi-class -Yes.

3.   General

1. Duration: Before 2003, 15 years from filing date and renewal for further periods of 15 years, after 2003 reduce to 10 years from filing and 10 year renewal periods.
2. Use: Compulsory, within 2 years from registration.
3. Marking: Optional.
4. Licenses: Recordal of Licenses are compulsory.
5. Assignments of applications are permitted.
6. Searches available within approximately 5-10 working days from instruction and are conducted manually on an in-house register.

HOW TO REGISTER A PATENT OR DESIGN

In our experience, it is better to file an ARIPO regional application designating at least Liberia rather than a national application directly in Liberia. The main reason for our opinion is that ARIPO is run by WIPO and, accordingly, operates much more efficiently than the Liberian Patent and Design Offices. Furthermore, the cost of filing an ARIPO application designating only Liberia is about the same as the cost of filing a national application directly in Liberia. A further benefit of the ARIPO route is that it is possible to designate other ARIPO member countries by paying additional designation fees at a relatively nominal surcharge.

For more information on ARIPO Patent Registrations click here.

For more information on ARIPO Design Registrations click here.