Zimbabwe is in the continent of Africa, situated at the center of Southern Africa, bordering Zambia to the north, South Africa to the South, Mozambique to the east and Botswana to the south west. The 1992 census placed the country's population at 10.4 million. Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional organization; and the Community of Eastern and Southern African States (COMESA).

As a former British colony, Zimbabwe's system for protection of intellectual property has been established for over 100 years. It has legislation in place for processing registration of patents, trademarks and industrial designs, lodging objections and handling appeals through an administrative system and courts. Zimbabwe is a member of ARIPO (African Regional Industrial Property Organization) and has been a strong supporter of the institution since its inception and has served as its host country. Zimbabwe has ratified the Harare and Banjul protocols of ARIPO. Its national system for protection coincides with the ARIPO system affording applicants the ability to chose either system.

For many years, Zimbabwe has been signatory to the Paris Convention and the Berne Convention and recently ratified the Patent Cooperation Treaty. It is classified as a developing country in terms of the TRIPS agreement, therefore, its legislation will have to be compliant by the year 2000. Its laws also provide protection for plant varieties through the Plant Breeders Act which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is important to note that Zimbabwe's customs laws provide for protection against piracy and infringement.

In terms of its potential from an investment point of view, Zimbabwe has ratified the following conventions and agreements :

  • New York Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbital Awards;
  • Convention on Settlement of Investment Disputes;
  • The Overseas Private Investment Corporation;
  • The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

It has enacted an Arbitration Act consistent with the UN CITRAL Model legislation. If you require any further information, we would be pleased to assist you.

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