FAQ

It is an abbreviation for the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA), an authority under the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT). It was originally founded as the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) under Proclamation No. 320/2003 on April 8, 2003 and upgraded to authority in November 2021, to give  more power to enforce laws and better integrate IP into the national economy.

A trademark is a form of intellectual property that serves to identify and distinguish the goods or services of one company from those of others.

a trademark distinguishing the goods or services of members of an association, which is the owner of the trademark, from those of other undertakings; What is the term of Protection for registered Trademarks?

The registration of a trademark shall remain valid for a period of seven years from the date of submission of the application for registration.

Renewal of the registration of a trademark shall be made within three months after the expiry of the registration period; provided, however, that after the expiry of the three months period, the registration may be renewed within the next six months, by paying in addition to the regular renewal fee, a penalty prescribed by the Regulations.

No. Commercial law is different from trademark law. You cannot stop someone from using a trade mark when it is similar to yours merely by registering your Trade name.

Yes. A registered trademark can be cancelled if it is proven to have not been genuinely used for a continuous period of at least three (3) years preceding the date of the cancellation request.

 

 Infringement occurs when an unauthorized party uses a mark that is identical or confusingly similar to a registered trademark, in connection with related goods or services, causing a likelihood of confusion among consumers.

It is an international system of classifying goods and services for the purpose of registering trademarks. There are 45 classes (34 for goods, 11 for services). You must register your mark in the class(es) relevant to your business.

Patent  is government-granted monopolies on new inventions. It grants the inventor the exclusive right to make, use, or sell the invention during the patent’s term. To obtain a patent, the inventor must publicly disclose the details of their invention.

A patent owner has the authority to decide who can use his or her invention. During the patent term, no one may use, manufacture, sell, or import the invention without permission. The owner can license the patent to others for royalties or sell (assign) it, generating income from the invention. After the term expires, the invention becomes public domain and can be used freely.

Patents are time-limited. WIPO notes most patents last about 20 years from filing. In Ethiopia specifically, a patent is valid for 15 years (from the filing date) and may be extended 5 more years if the patent is worked in Ethiopia. Renewal fees must be paid to keep a patent active.

Patentable inventions in any technical field include products or processes, chemical compounds, machines, methods, and so on. In Ethiopia, they must meet three criteria: novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. A product (such as a new drug), a machine, a manufacturing process, or even an enhancement to an existing invention may qualify.

Abstract ideas and discoveries cannot be patented. Non-patentable items include pure discoveries of natural substances, mathematical formulas, artistic or literary works, business/business methods, and computer programs themselves. Diagnostic or surgical methods for humans/animals are also prohibited. These rules prohibit patenting things that are essentially in the public domain or are not considered technical inventions.

Applications are filed with the EIPA. You must file a patent application with specifications, claims, drawings (if necessary), and the required fees. The application is reviewed to ensure that it meets the patentability requirements. EIPA’s website includes detailed procedures and forms.

Patents are territorial. Patents granted in Ethiopia protect inventions only within Ethiopia. To protect an invention in another country, you must file in that country or use a regional system (such as ARIPO or the European Patent Office) or the PCT international application process.

If the annual fee is not paid on time, the patent will expire. The patent owner may also voluntarily surrender (abandon) the entire patent. Patents that have expired or been surrendered may allow others to use the invention, either entirely or partially.

Yes. A court may invalidate a granted patent if it is demonstrated that the invention was not patentable (for example, it lacked novelty or adequate disclosure). Any invalidation is presumed to have been void from the date of grant, effectively wiping out protection from the start.

Patent information refers to the detailed information contained in patent documents around the world. It contains the invention’s technical description, legal claims, filing information, and references. Patents cover nearly every technology, so this data is a valuable resource for innovators.

Major online databases include WIPO’s PATENTSCOPE, the European Patent Office’s Espacenet, and Google Patents. Many national IP offices provide searchable databases. TISCs and EIPA Innovation and Technology Transfer desk experts can also help with document retrieval.

Yes. Ethiopian businesses and universities can leverage global patent data to innovate locally. For example, Ethiopian researchers may discover new crop management methods by researching agricultural patents. EIPA encourages local institutions to use patent databases to solve problems and launch technology startups.

A patent license is a legal agreement in which the patent owner (licensor) allows another party (licensee) to use the invention under agreed-upon conditions. Geographic restrictions, duration, and royalty payments are all possible options. Licensing allows you to commercialize your invention without having to manufacture or market it yourself.

An assignment is the transfer of a patent. Instead of keeping ownership, the inventor transfers (assigns) all of their rights to another individual or company. The assignee becomes the new patent owner and can freely use the technology.

A Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) is a local hub, typically located at a university or research institute, that assists innovators by providing access to patents and technical information. It provides services such as prior art searches, technology assessments, intellectual property advice, and networking support.

Any inventor, researcher, or small business in Ethiopia can benefit from a TISC. Most services are free. For example, a startup with a new gadget can visit the nearest university TISC to see if a similar patent exists and get advice on how to file for protection.

TISCs provide expert assistance that extends beyond simply searching the web. They have access to a number of specialized databases and can interpret the results. Individual inventors, particularly in developing contexts, may lack the skills and resources to conduct comprehensive searches on their own. TISCs can also provide assistance in Amharic or local languages as needed, as well as advice on national intellectual property procedures.

IP rights (especially patents) give legal certainty to inventions, making it feasible for industries to invest in R&D collaboration. A patent provides a company with exclusivity on a technology it licenses, which is crucial for recouping investment. IP also motivates institutions to commercialize: government policies often allow universities to own patents from their research and license them, creating a revenue stream and incentives to transfer technology.

The EIPA educates and facilitates technology transfer through training, IP awareness, and tools. For example, EIPA offers patenting and commercialization workshops to universities. It also fosters a favorable legal environment. By working with research institutions, the Authority enables them to effectively leverage the intellectual property system, ultimately fostering industry partnerships.

One common approach is to patent your invention and then license or sell the patent. By patenting, you formally protect your technology. Then you can work out licensing agreements in which others pay you to use it. Alternatively, you could establish a joint venture or partnership with a company that is interested in your technology. Informally, you can publish or present your work to potential collaborators.

An IP Marketplace is an online platform that lists intellectual property assets (patents and technologies) for licensing or sale. It functions as a centralized catalog where inventors can post their ideas and interested businesses or investors can browse and inquire. The marketplace connects creators with potential partners by making details available (for example, invention summary, patent data, and owner contact information).

Ethiopian inventors and patent holders can use it to promote their innovations; additionally, EIPA allows foreign applicants with Ethiopian filings to list their intellectual property. The platform allows investors, companies, and researchers from all over the world to learn about Ethiopian technologies. Essentially, any party interested in technology transfer can use the system.

An IP Marketplace raises awareness of your inventions. Instead of marketing your patent solely through personal networks or intermediaries, the platform makes it accessible to a large audience. This increases the chance of attracting serious investors. It serves as a one-stop shop for investors looking to compare technologies and evaluate options efficiently. Overall, using the IP Marketplace improves the commercialization process’s transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.

The patent owner completes a consent form (available on the EIPA website) that authorizes EIPA to publish their patent details. The owner gives information about the invention and who to contact for licensing. EIPA then verifies and publishes the listing. Participation is voluntary, and owners retain control (they can remove listings as needed).

If an investor or company is interested in a listed invention, they can submit a patent request form through the platform. EIPA then contacts the patent owner to begin discussions. The platform does not handle contracts or fees; it only facilitates the introduction. All commercial negotiations (license terms and pricing) are conducted directly between the parties.

An IP Marketplace raises awareness of your inventions. Instead of marketing your patent solely through personal networks or intermediaries, the platform makes it accessible to a large audience. This increases the chance of attracting serious investors. It serves as a one-stop shop for investors looking to compare technologies and evaluate options efficiently. Overall, using the IP Marketplace improves the commercialization process’s transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.

A GI is a sign used on products that originate from a specific place and have qualities or a reputation due to that origin.

GI protection can last indefinitely, as long as the product maintains its reputation and link to the geographical origin.

  • Promote rural development and local economies
  • Enhance product reputation and market value
  • Prevent misappropriation and unfair competition
  • Preserve cultural and environmental heritage

Yes. Through systems like:

  • Lisbon System (WIPO)
  • TRIPS Agreement (WTO)
  • Bilateral agreements between countries

No, registration is not mandatory for copyright protection to exist. Protection arises automatically as soon as the original work is created and fixed in a tangible form.

Voluntary registration with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) is highly recommended because the certificate issued serves as prima facie evidence of ownership in a court of law.

Traditional Knowledge refers to the know-how, skills, and practices developed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities over generations. It includes knowledge about medicinal plants, agricultural techniques, and ecological stewardship, often passed down orally.

Yes, through:-

  • Sui generis systems (custom legal frameworks)
  • Defensive protection (e.g., databases to prevent unauthorized patents)
  • Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) agreements under the Nagoya Protocol

Protection can be:-

  • Defensive: Preventing unauthorized patents (e.g., through databases)
  • Positive: Granting rights to communities (e.g., sui generis laws, customary law recognition)
  • Contractual: Using ABS agreements to define terms of use

Copyright protects original literary, artistic works that are fixed in a tangible form of expression.

Examples of Protected Works:- Books, articles, computer programs, musical compositions, paintings, sculptures, photographs, films, architectural plans, maps, illustrations, sound recordings, and broadcasts.

Requirements:- The work must be original and fixed in a tangible form (meaning it’s expressed on paper, a hard drive, a recording, etc.).

The law explicitly excludes protection for:- Ideas, procedures, methods of operation, or mathematical concepts (only the expression is protected, not the underlying concept).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone individuals, businesses, or organizations who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated or wants to appeal a decision by the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) can file a case.

To initiate a case, applicants must submit a written complaint to the Tribunal that includes: 

  • Complainant’s name, address, and filing date 
  • A brief statement explaining the basis of the complaint 
  • Relevant supporting documents or evidence (maximum 5 pages for the statement) 
  • Signature of the IP owner, legal representative, or directly affected party 
  • Proof of payment for applicable fees (for invalidation or cancellation cases)

Legal representation by an accredited intellectual property practitioner or attorney is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

  • Appeal the EIPA decision: within 60 days.
  • Request suspension of the decision: within 15 days.
  • Invalidation/cancellation petitions: no strict deadline.

The resolution process depends on the jurisdiction and the specific type of dispute. It may involve: 

  • A formal request for resolution.
  • The exchange of evidence and legal arguments by the involved parties.
  • A hearing, which may be held in person.
  • A formal decision by a judge, panel, or other neutral expert. 

Yes. It is often possible to challenge a tribunal’s decision, though the process and subsequent authority (e.g., a higher court) depend on the jurisdiction.