The short answer
An Ethiopian trademark registration is valid for 7 years from the date of submission of the application and is renewed for consecutive periods of 7 years, a shorter term than most countries. Renewal is made within 3 months after expiry, with a further 6 months against a penalty. Priority runs for 6 months, and a mark can be cancelled after 3 continuous years of non-use.
Trademark deadlines in Ethiopia at a glance
These rules come from the Trademark Registration and Protection Proclamation No. 501/2006 (Federal Negarit Gazeta No. 37 of 7 July 2006), in the English column of the official Gazette text. Time limits for opposition and similar steps are set by the Regulations (Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012), so we confirm them and the fees with the Authority before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 7 years from the date of submission of the application, renewable for consecutive periods of 7 years (Proclamation, Part Five, duration and renewal articles). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date the application was submitted for registration. |
| When can I renew? | At the owner's request, with the renewal fee paid. Renewal is made within three months after the expiry of the registration period. No change may be made to the mark or its goods, except that goods can be removed. |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. After the three months, the registration can be renewed within the next six months by paying the regular renewal fee plus a penalty set by the Regulations. A trademark not renewed in time is treated as waived or cancelled and is removed from the register, but a person, including the former owner, can apply to register it again. |
| Opposition period | When the Authority finds the application acceptable, it publishes a notice inviting opposition in the Intellectual Property Gazette or a national newspaper at the applicant's cost. Any person can oppose in writing within the period set by the Regulations, with the fee and grounds. Secondary sources report 60 days from publication, so we confirm the period (Articles 12 and 13). |
| Reply to an office action | The applicant can send a counter-statement within the prescribed period or is deemed to have abandoned the application. The Authority then decides after examining the merits (Article 13). |
| Priority claim | An applicant who files in Ethiopia within 6 months of the first filing abroad for the same mark and goods or services can have the foreign filing date treated as the filing date, by claiming priority and giving the documents within the prescribed time (Article 10). |
| Non-use | Any interested person can ask the Authority to cancel a mark if, without legitimate reason, it has not been used in Ethiopia by the registered owner or a licensee for a continuous period of at least 3 years before the request. |
| Assignment | We record changes of ownership with the Authority so the register shows the new owner. Ask us for the current procedure and fee. |
Who can register a trademark in Ethiopia
Individuals and companies can apply. Ownership rights arise only when a registration certificate is granted, so registration is needed for protection (Article 15).
Representation. Foreign applicants without an Ethiopian address normally act through a local representative who receives notices. The Proclamation and the Regulations set the rules, and we confirm the current requirement before we file.
Trademark registration process in Ethiopia
Search
- Search the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA), through your Ethiopian representative.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After acceptance, the notice of invitation for opposition is published and anyone can oppose within the prescribed period (Articles 12 and 13).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Ethiopia trademark validity and renewal
- The term is only 7 years from the application date.
- Renew within 3 months after expiry, or within the next 6 months with a penalty.
- A mark not renewed in time is treated as waived or cancelled.
- Use the mark in Ethiopia to avoid cancellation after 3 continuous years.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Ethiopian trademark
Renewal
Shorter term
The 7-year term means renewals come more often than elsewhere, so diarise the date.
Assignment
Change of ownership
Record it with the Authority. We confirm the procedure and fee.
Collective marks
Associations
The Proclamation has rules for collective marks, including a seven-year restriction on re-registration after cancellation.
Notification
Records
The Authority publishes renewals in the Gazette or a national newspaper at the owner's cost.
Non-use and cancellation of a Ethiopian trademark
The Proclamation allows cancellation for non-use: any interested person can ask the Authority to cancel a mark that, without legitimate reason, has not been used for a continuous period of at least 3 years. The Authority cancels once it finds this. A registration can also be invalidated on other grounds under the Proclamation.
Keep dated proof of use in Ethiopia: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Ethiopia
Check the Authority's register and the Intellectual Property Gazette, where applications and renewals are published. The opposition period runs from publication.
Sources used
- Trademark Registration and Protection Proclamation No. 501/2006 (Federal Negarit Gazeta No. 37, 7 July 2006), English column of the Gazette text: Articles 10, 12, 13, 15, and the articles on duration, renewal and cancellation for non-use.
- Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) and Regulation No. 273/2012 for time limits and fees.
Ethiopia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Ethiopia, and from when?
7 years from the date of submission of the application, renewable for consecutive periods of 7 years (Proclamation, Part Five, duration and renewal articles). It counts from the application date.
When should I renew a Ethiopian trademark, and is there a grace period?
At the owner's request, with the renewal fee paid. Renewal is made within three months after the expiry of the registration period. No change may be made to the mark or its goods, except that goods can be removed.
What is the opposition period in Ethiopia?
When the Authority finds the application acceptable, it publishes a notice inviting opposition in the Intellectual Property Gazette or a national newspaper at the applicant's cost. Any person can oppose in writing within the period set by the Regulations, with the fee and grounds. Secondary sources report 60 days from publication, so we confirm the period (Articles 12 and 13).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Ethiopia?
The official fee is set by the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Ethiopia?
Yes. We file through an Ethiopian representative, and we confirm the current requirements for foreign applicants before filing.
Can I assign a Ethiopian trademark?
We record changes of ownership with the Authority so the register shows the new owner. Ask us for the current procedure and fee.
Can a Ethiopian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
Any interested person can ask the Authority to cancel a mark if, without legitimate reason, it has not been used in Ethiopia by the registered owner or a licensee for a continuous period of at least 3 years before the request.
How can I check the status of a Ethiopian trademark?
Use the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
An applicant who files in Ethiopia within 6 months of the first filing abroad for the same mark and goods or services can have the foreign filing date treated as the filing date, by claiming priority and giving the documents within the prescribed time (Article 10).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Ethiopia
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Ethiopian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
