The Harare Protocol regulating the protection of patents, industrial designs and utility models has 20 contracting states: Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Fees associated with filing industrial design applications in ARIPO, as well as other design fees, are available in the fee calculator.
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Multiple design applications
Multiple class design applications are not possible in ARIPO.
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Filing requirements for a design application in ARIPO
Applications may be filed in any language; however, the translation into English certified by the applicant or the translator must be submitted within 2 months from the date of filing.
Applications for an industrial design should contain:
- request for registration of an industrial design;
- representation of an industrial design;
- declaration of priority (if applicable);
- designation of the contracting state/s;
- payment of the corresponding fees.
Priority may be claimed within 6 months from the priority date.
A certified copy of the Priority Document shall be furnished within 3 months from the filing date. If the language of the Priority Document is other than English, the English translation shall be submitted within 6 months from the filing date.
A simply signed Power of Attorney shall be furnished either at the time of filing an application or within 2 months from the filing date.
If an applicant is not the creator of the design, a statement explaining the applicant’s right to the design shall be included into the application.
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Examination of a design application in ARIPO
Examination as to compliance with the formal requirements is conducted only.
There is no novelty grace period for industrial designs in ARIPO.
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Grant, validity term and design renewal fees
If the application complies with formal requirements, the design is registered and then published. The validity term of a design registration is 10 years from the filing date provided that annual maintenance fees are duly paid. The fees become due on each anniversary of the filing date and are payable in respect of each designated state. It is possible to pay annual fees within 6 months after the due date on the condition that the corresponding surcharge is paid.
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Duration of registration procedure
Duration of the proceedings from first filing to registration is approximately 9 to 12 months.
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Representation by a patent attorney
For foreign applicants not residing or not having the principle place of business in one of the contracting states, it is necessary to perform industrial design registration in ARIPO through a professional representative (attorney, agent or legal practitioner) authorized before any national office of the Harare protocol countries.
Online Search Database for ARIPO Industrial Designs.
Brief summary is based on the information provided by PalladiumIP Consultants on 04.03.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with ARIPO IP Laws