Trademarks in Rwanda

Competent Authority

• Name of Office: Intellectual Property (I.P.) Registry at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
• Working Language: English or Kinyarwanda (French is also widely used in administrative settings).
• System Type: National (with regional protection options available via the Madrid Protocol or the ARIPO Banjul Protocol).

International Treaties

• Paris Convention: Member.
• Madrid System: Member of the Madrid Protocol. International registrations via the Madrid System can designate Rwanda.
• ARIPO: Member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and a contracting state to the Banjul Protocol on Marks.

Who May Apply

• Eligibility: Natural and legal persons.
• Local Representation: Foreign applicants who do not have a domicile or principal place of business in Rwanda must be represented by an authorized local trademark agent or professional advocate.
• Power of Attorney (POA): Required for local representation; must be a notarized Power of Attorney compliant with local statutory formatting standards.

Online Filing and Search

• Electronic Filing: Available via national administrative channels and RDB electronic submission interfaces (alongside WIPO eMadrid or ARIPO platforms where applicable).
• Trademark Search: Highly recommended prior to filing to screen prior conflicting rights using official registry records.

Protectable Trademark Types

• Word marks, figurative marks, slogans, letter designations, numerals, 3D shapes, and sound marks.
• Applications using only generic class headings may attract official objections.

Classification

• System: Nice Classification.
• Multi-class Applications: Supported under the governing IP legal framework.

Examination

• Scope: The RDB Intellectual Property Registry conducts formal examinations (document completeness, 14-day correction window) and substantive examinations covering absolute grounds (distinctiveness, public order, and morality) and relative grounds (prior conflicting rights).

Publication and Opposition

• Opposition System: Once approved, trademark applications are published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda. Interested third parties may file a notice of opposition within 60 days from the publication date.

Timeframes

• Registration Timeline: Approximately 6 to 12 months for a straightforward, unopposed application process from initial submission to final certificate issuance.

Official Fees

• Official fee schedules are regulated by national statutory instruments and denominated in Rwandan Francs (RWF) or US Dollars (USD) for foreign applicants. WIPO-regulated fee schedules apply to Madrid Protocol designations.

Duration and Renewal

• Protection Term: 10 years calculated from the filing date.
• Renewal Window: Can be renewed for successive 10-year periods, backed by a 10-month late renewal grace period subject to supplementary surcharges.

Use Requirements

• Non-Use Cancellation: A registered trademark is vulnerable to cancellation or revocation actions if it is not put to genuine commercial use for a continuous period of 5 consecutive years following registration.
• System Type: First-to-file.

Post-Registration Procedures

• Assignments, licensing agreements, changes of name, and changes of address must be formally recorded with the RDB Intellectual Property Registry to ensure legal effectiveness and enforceability against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

• Enforcement: Handled via civil court infringement proceedings, commercial tribunals, injunctions, damages actions, and border/customs anti-counterfeiting measures.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.