ETHIOPIA

Patent

Forms part of

  • Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
  • Ethiopia, although not a party to the Paris Convention, recognises the twelve-month priority period.
  • Patents of invention; and
  • Patent of introduction.

Absolute novelty applies.

A one-year general grace period is provided for.

Patent applications are examined as to compliance with formal requirements and is forwarded (normally) to the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation for substantive examination.  

Substantive examination may be avoided if the applicant can furnish proof of a family member having been granted in a jurisdiction which subjected the invention to substantive examination.

Patents of invention are valid for fifteen years from the date of filing the patent application and may be renewed for a further five years: Provided the applicant can proof that the patent is being exploited in Ethiopia.

Annual renewal fees are payable, from the second anniversary of the filing date, for both pending and granted patents.  There is provided for a six-month grace period within which a late annual renewal fee may be paid.

Patents of introduction are valid for a period of ten years from the date of filing and subject to certain peremptory provisions.

A patent must be worked within three years for the date of grant of the patent.