Introduction
If you wish to distinguish the goods and services of your business from those offered by others, you can register for a trademark and give your business the exclusive rights of use, sale or license. Trademarks can be a name, logo, slogan, shape, colour, sound, letter, word, number, signature or a combination of these.
What you need
- Applicant details – name, nationality, physical address, etc.
- Trademark information – must be distinct and soft copies are to be provided in jpeg format at a minimum of 1200 dpi for online filing.
- The full range of goods proposed to be covered.
- Power of attorney/authorization of an agent.
How to apply
- Engage the services of an agent using a power of attorney or authorization of agent form.
- Provide all the necessary information.
- The agent would file and process the application at the Nigerian Registry of Trademarks, Patents, Designs and Copyright.
- An official acknowledgement will be issued to the applicant by the Registrar.
- A preliminary search is conducted on the distinctiveness and registrability of the proposed trademark. The applicant is then furnished with notice of acceptance upon approval by the Registrar.
- Advertise the trademark application in the Nigerian Trademark Journal – the advert will remain open for a period of two (2) months for any objection.
- If there are no objections, the Registrar will issue a certificate of registration to the applicant.
Payment
The fee for trademarks varies according to the goods or services. Applicants can pay online or at any designated bank using a pre-generated invoice obtainable through a platform created for local agents.
Links
Report/complaint
If you witness any form of corruption or poor service delivery, contact the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry of Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments via 08092194426, 08092194416, 08092194404, or info@iponigeria.com.
You can also contact us to provide you with guidance and engage relevant authorities to help resolve the issue(s).