New trademark law comes into effect

The long-awaited implementing regulations needed to give effect to the 2006 Trademark Registration and Protection Proclamation in Ethiopia have at last been published. The publication of the regulations brings into force a new, orthodox, trademark regime for the registration and enforcement of trademark rights. The protection term is seven years, repeatedly renewable.

There are still a number of unknown factors, including the term for re-filing trademark 'registrations' obtained under the former regime, and the issuance of practice directives from the Director-General of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office is still awaited.

In the meantime, there is no reason to delay the filing of completely new trademark applications and it is recommended that applications are filed as soon as possible so that trademark owners can secure the earliest possible filing date.

Chris Walters, Spoor & Fisher, Jersey