FAQs on Trademark
- Format of the trademark (Word marks can be in pdf. format).
- Applicant’s details.
- A signed Power of Attorney authorizing an Agent (No notarization or legalization required).
- Full range of goods or services covered by the trademark.
- Carry out a preliminary search at the Trademark Registry
- File trademark application.
- After filing, the Registrar issues an acknowledgement of filing.
- The Registrar examines the Trademark to ascertain if there is any similarity to any other existing marks, distinctiveness and general compliance with the law.
- After acceptance, the trademark is published in the Trademark Journal for 60 days.
- If there is no opposition, the Trademark certificate will be applied for and issued.
We charge $500.00. (One of the lowest fees in Nigeria).
The whole process usually takes between 12 to 24 months.
If there is an objection to your trademark registration during the 60 day publication period, you are required to file a counter statement within one month of receiving the objection.
You would have to register your trademark in several classes. Registering your Trademark in one class does not offer protection in other classes.
FAQs on Patent
The Patent and Designs Act states that an invention is Patentable if it is new, results from inventive activity and is capable of industrial application or if it constitutes an improvement upon a patented invention and also is new, results from inventive activity and is capable of industrial application.
- File a Patent application in the prescribed manner
- After filing, the Registrar issues an acknowledgment of filing
- The Registrar thereafter examines Patent as to its conformity with the provisions of the Patents & Designs Act. The examination is only as to form and not substantive.
- If the Registrar, after examination, is satisfied that the Patent conforms to the prescribed requirements, the Patent is registered by issuing an Acceptance Notice. It usually takes between 10 – 12 months for the Patent Certificate to be issued.
We charge $500.00. (One of the lowest fees in Nigeria).
If you have already registered a Patent in your own country, you can claim priority during registration in Nigeria. An applicant claiming priority will have to provide:
- A written declaration showing the date and number of the earlier application.
- The country in which the earlier application was made.
- The name of the person who made the earlier application
- The exception to this is that the Nigerian application must be filed within 12 months of filing the earlier application and in not more than 3 months after making the written declaration, the applicant is required to furnish the registrar with a certified true copy of the earlier application.
A Patent is valid for 20 years subject to renewals every year.
FAQs on Design
The design has to be novel and must not be contrary to public order or morality.
- Specimen of the Design or a photographic or graphic representation of the design
- Statement of Novelty specifying features of the design
- Applicant’s details
- An indication of the kind of product for which the design will be used
- A signed Power of Attorney authorizing an Agent (No notarization or legalization required).
- File a design application in the prescribed manner
- After filing, the Registrar issues an acknowledgment of filing
- The Registrar thereafter examines design as to its conformity with the prescribed requirements
- After the examination, the design application may be rejected due to non-conformity
- If the design is accepted after examination, a registration certificate is issued without further examination.
We charge $500.00. (One of the lowest fees in Nigeria).
If you have already registered a Design in your own country, you can claim priority during registration in Nigeria. An applicant claiming priority will have to provide:
- A written declaration showing the date and number of the earlier application.
- The country in which the earlier application was made.
- The name of the person who made the earlier application
- The exception to this is that the Nigerian application must be filed within 6 months of filing the earlier application and in not more than 3 months after making the written declaration, the applicant is required to furnish the registrar with a certified true copy of the earlier application.
A design registration is valid for 15 years subject to renewals every 5 years..