Trademark registration comes with an expiration date, making it essential for businesses to ensure the ongoing protection of their brand identity. In this article, we’ll explore the timeframe associated with trademark registration and the renewal process according to Ethiopian laws.
Duration of Registration
According to the relevant provisions (Article 35 to 37) of the Proclamation, a trademark’s initial registration remains valid for a period of seven years from the date of the application submission.
Renewal of Registration
Renewal Request: Trademark owners have the option to renew the registration for consecutive seven-year periods by submitting a renewal request. This request must include a document confirming payment of the renewal fee as stipulated by the regulations.
No Alterations Allowed: During the renewal process, no alterations are permitted to the trademark, or the list of goods or services associated with it. The only exception is the removal of specific goods or services from the registered list.
Timely Renewal: Trademark owners must initiate the renewal process within three months after the expiration of the registration period. If this timeframe is exceeded, a renewal can still be pursued within the subsequent six months. However, during this extended period, a penalty, in addition to the regular renewal fee, is required as specified by the Regulations.
Notification of Renewal: Once the renewal is recorded, the Office will notify the public through an intellectual property gazette, a newspaper with nationwide circulation, or via radio, television, or a website. The associated costs are the responsibility of the trademark owner.
Consequences of Non-Renewal: Failure to renew the trademark within the specified time frame (three months plus the additional six months) leads to the trademark being considered abandoned or canceled.
Removal from the Register: The Office has the authority to remove a trademark from the register if it is not renewed in accordance with the stipulations outlined in the Article.
Subsequent Registration: Importantly, the inability to renew a trademark does not prohibit interested parties, including the former owner, from seeking registration for the same trademark. If a trademark has been abandoned or canceled, it remains available for registration by others.
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