International and Regional Arrangements

Liberia is a member of the Paris Convention and also the Madrid Agreement.

TRADEMARKS

Types of Trademark Registrable

1. Trade marks for goods
2. Trade marks for services
3. Collective trademarks.

Documents required for trademark registration

The following are the documents required for trademark registration:

1. Power of Attorney incorporating a declaration, notarized and legalized up to the Liberian Consulate or by means of a Apostille (Hague Convention)
2. Oath notarized and legalized up to the Liberian Consulate by means of a Apostille (Hague Convention)
3. 10 clear prints of the mark
4. Specification of goods
5. Full details of the applicant including trading style
6. Priority document (where required)
7. A notarized oath and notarized declaration including the list of the goods or services legalized up to Liberian consulate

Duration and Renewal

A trademark registration is effective for a period of 10 years from the date of filing of an application for registration and, thereafter, renewable for like periods, on the payment of the prescribed fee. A grace period of six months is allowed for late payment of renewal fees, subject to payment of penalty fees.

Documents Required for Renewals 

1. Power of Attorney.
2. Copy of the Certificate of Registration and (if applicable) the last Certificate of Renewal.

Documents required for assignments/mergers 

1. Power of Attorney.
2. Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified English translation.

Documents required for change of name 

1. Power of Attorney.
2. Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English translation.

Documents required for change of address 

1. Power of Attorney.

Documents required for licenses

1. Power of Attorney from proprietor and licensee.
2. License Agreement, with verified English translation.

PATENTS

Filing Requirements:
National Phase PCT Application:

1. Power of Attorney (simply signed) (can be late filed)

1. Specification claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
2. Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)
3. Assignment of Invention (can be late filed)
4. Copy of International Publication (required on the day of filing)
5. Copy of International Search Report (can be late filed, no set deadline)
6. Copy of International Preliminary Report on Patentability (can be late filed, no set deadline)

Patents of Invention (Non-PCT):

1. Power of Attorney simply signed (can be late filed)

1. Specification claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
2. Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)
3. Assignment of Invention (can be late filed)
4. Priority document with verified English translation (can be late filed)

Duration and Renewal
The term of a patent is twenty (20( years from the filing date. Renewal fees fall due annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date.