On the 3 May 2021, The Gambia deposited its instrument of ratification of the ARIPO Banjul Protocol on Marks with the Director General of  The African Regional Industrial Property Organization(ARIPO).

The country is now the 12th Contracting State to the Protocol. Pursuant to the above, with effect from 3 August 2021, The Gambia will be eligible for designation for applicants under the Banjul Protocol.

The Banjul Protocol on Marks was adopted by the member countries of ARIPO on 19 November 1993 , at Banjul, The Gambia , with the provision that it would enter into force three months following the date on which it was ratified by at least three countries. It provides for a centralized trademark registration procedure.  Under this process, applications for trademark registrations may be submitted either to the ARIPO Office or to the Industrial Property Office of a member state, and must designate the member state(s) where registration is sought.

The attached infographic details the process for filing an application with ARIPO Office.

Prior to the Gambia, there were 11 other contracting states with Mozambique being the most recent addition. On 15 August 2020, the Banjul Protocol became effective in Mozambique, making it the 11th contracting State of the Protocol. Mozambique deposited its instrument of accession to the Banjul Protocol three months earlier on 15 May 2020.

Here's a look at the current members in chronological order.

If you're looking to register a trademark or other IP in The Gambia, click here.