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Law 31/2009 on the Protection of Intellectual Property

Multi-Class Filing System
Classification of goods / services - Nice Classification 9th Edition
Member of Paris Convention
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention
International filing under Madrid Protocol and Madrid Agreement - Applicable
Examination - Formal and substantive
Use - a registered mark may be subject to cancellation action by interested parties if it has not been used for 3 consecutive years
Renewal application can be made within 6 months before expiry
Renewal duration - 10 years

Power of attorney, notarised
A copy of the company, NGO, association certificate
Certified copy of the priority document, if claimed
Passport copy of the representative of the applicant

Power of attorney, notarised
Copy of the registration certificate
A copy of the company certificate
Passport copy of the representative

Power of attorney signed by the assignee, notarised
Deed of assignment signed by the assignor and assignee, with English translation
Copy of the registration certificate
Passport copy of the representative

Power of attorney, notarised
Merger agreement signed by both parties, with English translation
Copy of the registration certificate
Passport copy of the representative

Power of attorney signed by the licensee, notarised
License agreement signed by both parties, with English translation
Photocopy of the registration certificate

Power of attorney reflecting the new name or address, notarised
A copy of the company certificate
Photocopy of the registration certificate
Passport of the representative

Law 31/2009 on the Protection of Intellectual Property

Member of PCT, Paris Convention, ARIPO
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention within 12 months from the first filing date
Term of protection - 20 years
Annuities are paid annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date

Power of attorney, simply signed
Specification, claims, formal drawings, and abstract in English or French
Deed of assignment, if the applicant is not the inventor
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed
The power of attorney and the priority document must be filed within 3 months from filing date

Power of attorney signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by the assignor and assignee, with French translation

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement signed by both parties, with French translation

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
License agreement signed by both parties, with French translation

Power of attorney reflecting the new name or address, simply signed
Certified copy of the certificate of incorporation or the extract from the commercial register reflecting the change, with French translation

Law 31/2009 on the Protection of Intellectual Property

Member of Paris Convention, ARIPO
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention within 6 months from the first filing date
Term of protection - 15 years
Annuities are paid annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date

Power of attorney, simply signed
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed
Drawings, photographs, or other appropriate graphical representations of the design
An indication of the kind of products on which the industrial design or model to be applied
The power of attorney and the priority document can be filed within 3 months from filing date

Power of attorney, signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by the assignor and assignee, with French translation

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement signed by both parties, with French translation

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
License agreement signed by both parties, with French translation

Power of attorney reflecting the new name or address, simply signed
Certified copy of the certificate of incorporation or the extract from the commercial register reflecting the change, with French translation

Trademark Registration Process

Learn more about the process

Trademark Review

Your lawyers will help you to review the trademark(s) to be registered and advise you of the best protection approach according to the country laws and requirements.

Trademark Classification

With the knowledge of your goods/services, your lawyers will assist you with identifying the most appropriate international class for your trademark.

Trademark Search

Although not mandatory, a trademark clearance search should be conducted to establish if your trademark can be registered and used in the market.

Filing

Your lawyers will submit your application for registration after reviewing and confirming that all formal requirements by the respective IPO have been met.

Examination

At this stage, the IPO will examine whether your trademark fulfills the requirements of the applicable trademark law.

Publication

After the examination process, the trademark is published and third parties may submit an opposition against it being registered. Your lawyers' role is to address and respond to any oppositions and ensure that your trademark proceeds to registration.

Registration

After the opposition period, your trademark is registered and a certificate of registration is issued.

Watch Service

Registration of the trademark is just the beginning, there is need for vigilance in the market. Your lawyers help you lookout for potential infringement through our trademark watch service.

Renewal

Trademark registration is valid for a specific period of years after which it has to be renewed, 10 years in most jurisdictions with a few exceptions. We got you covered.

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IP Office

Office of the Registrar General, Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

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