A trade mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization or any other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trade mark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products and services from those of other entities.

Rwanda: Trademarks – General Information

• Filing System: Multi-Class Filing System.
• Classification of goods/services: 11th Edition of Nice Classification.
• Registrables: trademarks, service marks, collective marks and certification marks.
• Member of Paris Convention: Yes.
• Claiming priority under Paris Convention: Yes.
• Filing international registration under Madrid Agreement: Yes.
• Filing international registration under Protocol to Madrid Agreement: Yes.
• Time from filing to registration: 3 months.
• Protection (registration) duration: 10 years from the filing date.
• Examination type: formal and substantive examination.
• Examination time: 30 days.
• Publications: in the Official Gazette after acceptance.
• Opposition period: 60 days.
• Use: Non-use cancellation may be applied after 3 consecutive years.
• Renewal duration: 10 years.
• Grace period to renew after expiration: 10 months with penalty.
• Search: official search only.
• Search for a device: possible.
• Time for the search: 3 days.

Required documents for Trademark – applications

1. List of products or services for which registration of the mark is requested
2. Applicant’s name and address
3. Power of Attorney, notarized
4. Priority document (if applicable), with verified English translation

Required documents for Trademark – Renewal

1. Power of Attorney, notarized – a separate form is required for each application
2. Simple copy of the Certificate of Registration

Required documents for Trademark – Assignment

1. Power of Attorney, notarized
2. Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified English translation
3. Simple copy of the Certificate of Registration

Required documents for Trademark – Change of name / address

1. Power of Attorney, notarized
2. Simple copy of the Certificate of Registration

Required documents for Trademark – License

1. Powers of Attorney, notarised, from owner and licensee
2. License Agreement, with verified English translation
3. Simple copy of the Certificate of Registration

Required documents for Trademark – opposition

1. Powers of Attorney, notarized
2. Grounds of opposition

Required documents for a response against trademark refusal

1.  Powers of Attorney, notarized

SERVICES

1. Preparation and filing of trade mark searches (with opinion letter) in Rwanda.
2. Preparation and filing of trade mark applications
3. Responding to the Office action issued by the Trade Marks Registry
4. Attending hearings before the Rwanda Intellectual Property Office
5. Completion of formalities related to registration process and obtaining registration certificate
6. Preparation, filing of Oppositions, Counter Statements, Cancelation, appeals etc.
7. Infringement investigations & filing infringement actions before Courts
8. Sending and responding to Cease & Desist Notices (Legal notices to the infringers)
9. Monitoring of Trade Marks (Watch service)
10. Payment of Renewal fees
11. Assignment and licensing services
12. Trademark change of name
13. Trademark change of address
14. Merger of trademarks
15. Trademark change of name and address
16. Trademark duplicate
17. Trademark cancellation for non –use