The long awaited implementing Regulations needed to give effect
to the 2006 Trademark Registration and Protection Proclamation in
Ethiopia have at last been published. The publication of the
Regulations brings into force a new, orthodox, trade mark regime
for the registration and enforcement of trade mark rights. The
protection term is seven years; repeatedly renewable.
There are still a number of unknown factors, including the term
for re-filing trade mark "registrations" obtained under
the former regime, and we await the issuance of practice directives
from the Director-General of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property
Office. In the meantime we see no reason to delay the filing of
completely new trade mark applications and we recommend that
applications are filed as soon as possible so that trade mark
owners can secure the earliest possible filing date.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
