ARIPO Patent & Trademark Search

Zimbabwe Trademarks Act

Single-Class Filing System
Classification of goods / services - 11th Edition of Nice Classification
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention
Trademark filing under Madrid Agreement - Yes
Trademark filing under Madrid Protocol - Yes
Protection Duration - 10 years from filing date
Examination - formal and substantive examination
Opposition period - 2 months from the publication date
Time limit to pay registration fees after the opposition period - No time restriction
Use - a registered mark may be subject for a cancellation action by any interested party if it has not been used for 5 consecutive years.
Renewal application - 6 months before expiry
Renewal duration - 10 years

Power of attorney, simply signed
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed
Late filing of documents is allowed within 2 months from filing date without penalty
Extension of time may be made and the period permissible is based on the Registrar’s discretion and depends on the circumstances in each case.

Power of attorney, simply signed
Copy of the registration certificate

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

Power of attorney, simply signed
Merger agreement document signed by both parties

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

Power of attorney under the new name or address, simply signed
Copy of document showing the change of name or address

Zimbabwe Patents Act

Member of PCT, Paris Convention and ARIPO
Priority can be claimed under Paris Convention within12 months from the first filing date
Period of protection - 20 years
Annuities are paid annually from the fourth year
Patent applications are published in the Patents & Trademarks Journal and are subject to an opposition period of 2 months from the publication date
A grace period of 6 months with penalty is allowed for the late payment of the annuity fees

Power of attorney, simply signed
Three copies of the specifications including claims, drawings and abstract
Deed of assignment if the applicant is not the inventor
Certified copy of priority document if claimed
For PCT National Phase applications, a power of attorney simply signed and three copies of specifications are required

No documents required

Copy of Deed of assignment document signed by the assignor and assignee

Power of attorney, simply signed
Copy of merger agreement

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
Copy of 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

Industrial Designs Act

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

Power of attorney, simply signed
Three copies of the specifications including claims, drawings, and abstract
Certified copy of the priority document if claimed

No documents required

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

Power of attorney, simply signed
Copy of merger agreement signed by both parties

Power of attorney signed by the licensee
Copy of License agreement document 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.

🏛

IP Office

Department of Deeds Companies and Intellectual Property, Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

IP Office Website ↗

Switch Country

ARIPO