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Amendments to Trademark Laws

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Jun 14, 2016 (Newsletter Issue 11/16)
Rwanda
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Opposition Period and IP Laws Amended


The Rwandan government published Law No. 005 of 2016 and various Ministerial Orders to amend the opposition period and to introduce changes to Rwanda’s Intellectual Property Laws. The amendments became effective with the publication in the Official Gazette on April 20, 2016.

Some of the main changes are the following:
- The period for filing opposition to trademark applications and geographical indications has been amended from formerly 30 days to 60 days.
- Some of the official fees for registration, prosecution and renewal of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, geographical indications and utility models have been reduced.
- A new format of Power of Attorney is required.
- The Power of Attorney needs to be notarised for grantors whose habitual residence or principal place of business is located outside Rwanda.
- The time frame for unilateral licenses and compulsory licenses has been revised.
- Law No. 005 of 2016 now provides recognition and protection of seed and plant varieties.

For further information, please access the gazette here, available in three languages (Kinyarwanda, French and English). Please also check the article of Adams & Adams to receive additional information.

Source: Adams & Adams, South Africa and Nigerian Law Intellectual Property Watch (www.nlipw.com)