ARIPO Patent & Trademark Search

Sierra Leone Trade Marks Act

Single-Class Filing System
Classification of goods / services - Classification of the goods according to the old British 50 classes
Registration of service marks is not applicable
Member of Paris Convention
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention
International filing under Madrid Protocol and Madrid Agreement - Applicable
Protection Term - 14 years from filing date
Examination - Formal examination
Opposition Period - 3 months from publication date
Use - a registered mark may be subject to cancellation action by interested parties if it has not been used for 5 consecutive years
Renewal application can be made within 6 months before expiry
Renewal Duration - 14 years

Power of attorney, simply signed
Certified copy of a UK registration certificate in English

Power of attorney, simply signed
Proof of renewal of the basic UK registration, if applicable

Power of attorney signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by both parties, other instrument of title in English, or proof of assignment of the basic registration in the UK if applicable

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement document signed by both parties with English translation, or proof of merger against the basic UK registration, if applicable

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
Proof of the recordal of registered user against the basic UK registration

Power of attorney reflecting the new name or address, simply signed
Certificate of change in English, or proof of the recordal of change against the basic UK registration, if applicable

The Patents and Industrial Designs Act, 2012

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
No renewal fees are payable

Power of attorney, simply signed
Deed of assignment if the applicant is not the inventor
Specification, claims, formal drawings, and abstract
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed

Power of attorney signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by the assignor and assignee

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
License agreement signed by both parties

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

The Patents and Industrial Designs Act, 2012

Member of Paris Convention, ARIPO
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention within 6 months from the first filing date
A UK registered design automatically extends its validity to Sierra Leone and no re-registration of the UK registered design is required
The design remains in force for as long as the UK design remains in force
Protection of industrial designs in Sierra Leone can be also obtained via ARIPO’s Harare Protocol

Power of attorney, simply signed
Deed of assignment if the applicant is not the inventor
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed
Photographs or other adequate graphical representations of the article embodying the industrial design
Indication of the kind of products on which the industrial design to be applied
Specimen of the article embodying the industrial design where the design is illustrated in two- dimensional manner

Power of attorney signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by the assignor and assignee

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
License agreement signed by both parties

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

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.

OAPI Trademark 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 OAPI laws and requirements.

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 OAPI IP Office have been met.

Examination

At this stage, OAPI will examine whether your trademark fulfills the formal requirements of the office.

Publication

After your trademark is registered, it is published and third parties may submit an opposition against it being registered. The opposition period is three (3) months. The role of your lawyers is to address and respond to any oppositions and ensure that your trademark proceeds to registration.

Registration

After the opposition period and assuming there is no opposition, the 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 will help you lookout for potential infringement through our trademark watch service.

Renewal

Trademark registration is valid for 10 years after which it has to be renewed. We got you covered.

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Administrator and Registrar-General’s Department.

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