ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Registry Office announced that trademark applications filed prior to July 7, 2006 should be “re-registered” under the new law to be effective in Ethiopia. The deadline to complete this process is June 18, 2014.
Ethiopia brought some changes to the Trademark Legislation which came into effect in Ethiopia at the end of 2012. The new regulations were published in Ethiopia on December 24, 2012, bringing into force the Trade Mark Registration and Protection Proclamation 2006.
The changes include the following:
– Cancellation and invalidation procedures will apply and the renewal period will be extended from 6 to 7 years.
– Priority can be claimed, based on an earlier application in a foreign country.
– Publication and opposition procedures will be introduced.
– International classification of goods and services will be followed.
Trademark applications filed from July 7, 2006 and before December 24, 2012 will be subject to amendment, extending their term from six years to seven.
As for the new trademark applications, a power of attorney should be legalised by an Ethiopian Consul, as well as a Certificate of Incorporation with verified English translation.
Source: Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP)
http://www.agip.com
