Lesotho
International and regional arrangements
Lesotho is a member of the Paris Convention and Madrid agreement.
TRADEMARKS
International classification of goods and services are applicable. Provision is made for multiple class filings.
Types of Trademarks Registrable
Service marks are registrable. Multi class applications are acceptable. Provision is made for the registration of COLLECTIVE MARKS. No provision for the registration of DEFENSIVE or SERIES MARKS.
International and regional arrangements
Lesotho is a member of the Paris Convention and Madrid agreement.
Documents required for trademark registration
- A Power of Attorney
- Prints of the mark if not a word mark
- Specification of goods
- Full details of the applicant
- Priority document (where required)
Renewals
Trademarks are valid for an initial period of 10 years counting from the date of filing and renewable every 10 years, a grace period of six months is allowed for late payment of renewal fees, subject to payment of penalty fees.
Documents required for renewals
Power of Attorney simply signed.
Documents required for assignments/mergers
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- Deed of Assignment, with verified English translation.
Documents required for change of name
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English translation.
Documents required for change of address
Power of Attorney simply signed.
Documents required for licenses/registered users
- Power of Attorney, simply signed, from proprietor and licensee.
- License Agreement, with verified English translation.
PATENTS
Filing requirements:
National Phase PCT Application
- Power of Attorney (notarized) (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Specification claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
- Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)
- International Patent Classification (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Assignment of Invention (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Copy of Published International Application (required on the day of filing)
- Copy of International Search Report (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Copy of International Preliminary Report on Patentability (can be late filed, no set deadline)
Patents of Invention (Non-PCT)
- Power of Attorney (notarized) (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Specification claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
- Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)
- International Patent Classification (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Assignment of Invention (can be late filed, no set deadline)
- Priority document with verified English translation (can be late filed within three months
Duration and Renewal
The term of a patent is fifteen (15) years from the filing date. However, the term of the patent may be extended for a further period of five years provided that proof is furnished that the invention is being properly worked in Lesotho at the date of the request or that there are legitimate reasons for failing to work the invention. The term of an ARIPO patent designating Lesotho is twenty (20) years. Renewal fees fall due annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date.