Rwanda

Trade Mark

Forms part of

No
ARIPO
No
OAPI
Yes
MADRID
Yes
SERVICE CLASSES
NA
NICE CLASSIFICATION

9th edition

Yes
WELL-KNOWN TRADE MARKS RECOGNISED?

OAPI

ARIPO

International Arrangements

Rwanda is a party to the Madrid System for international registration of trade marks, and the Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property. It is possible to claim priority under the Paris Convention.

 

Classification

Rwanda follows a multi-class filing system in terms of the 9th edition of the Nice Classification.

Registration Procedure

The total time from filing to registration is approximately 10 months. Trade mark applications are examined for compliance with formal and substantive requirements and are published in the official gazette after acceptance. Trade marks may be opposed within 30 days from the date of publication, although there is some uncertainty around the length of the opposition period.

Common Law and Well-Known Trade Marks

Well-known trade marks in terms of the Paris Convention are recognised in Rwanda.

Duration of Registration, Renewal and Non-Use

Trade mark registrations are valid for 10 years from the date of filing and may be renewed indefinitely for 10-year periods thereafter.

A registered trade mark may be cancelled on action by an interested party if it has not been used for a continuous period of 5 years after the date of registration.

Customs Recordal

Customs recordals are not possible.

Patent

Forms part of

Yes
ARIPO
No
OAPI
Yes
PARIS CONVENTION
Yes
PCT

OAPI

ARIPO

International Arrangements

ARIPO
Paris Convention
PCT

Types of patents

ARIPO patents
National patents

Novelty requirements

Absolute 

Grace period/Prior knowledge

Twelve months.

Examination procedure

Formal examination.
Search (ARIPO)
Obligation to submit corresponding foreign search results and application numbers.
Substantive examination (ARIPO).
Amendments upon application before acceptance, upon request post-acceptance.
Grant.

Duration and maintenance

Duration is 20 years from the filing date of the application.
A maintenance fee is payable annually beginning one year after the filing date of the application.

Working requirement

Within four years of filing or three years from grant (whichever period ends later), failing which patent may become subject to grant of compulsory licence.

Design

Forms part of

Yes
ARIPO
No
OAPI
Yes
PARIS CONVENTION

OAPI

ARIPO

International Arrangements

ARIPO
Paris Convention

Novelty requirements

Absolute

Grace period/Prior knowledge

Six months

Examination procedure

Filing (Registrar General)
Formal examination and examination as to inherent registrability.
Registration

Duration and maintenance

Fifteen years from the date of filing.
Maintenance at the end of the fifth and tenth year.

Working requirement

No