International and Regional Arrangements

Rwanda is a member of the Paris Convention.

TRADEMARKS

Types of trademark registrable

Goods and Services are registrable. Multi Class applications are acceptable. There are no provisions for the registration of COLLECTIVE MARKS, DEFENSIVE MARKS or SERIES MARKS.

International and Regional Arrangements

Rwanda is a member of the Paris Convention.

Documents required for trademark registration

1. Power of Attorney (notarized)
2. Prints of the mark
3. Priority document (if applicable), with verified French or English translation
4. Details of the applicant
5. Certified copies of a foreign application if convention priority is to be claimed

Renewals

Registration is valid for an initial period ten (10) years and renewable every ten (10) years.

Documents required for renewals

1. Power of Attorney (simply signed)
2. Certificate of trademark registration

Documents required for assignment applications

1. Assignment Agreement (notarized)
2. Power of Attorney of Assignor (simply signed)
3. Power of Attorney of Assignee (simply signed)
4. Additional necessary documents

Documents required for license applications

1. License Agreement (notarized)
2. Power of Attorney of licensor (simply signed)
3. Power of Attorney of licensee (simply signed)

Documents required for recordation of name/address change

1. Documents of proof (simply signed)
2. Power of Attorney (simply signed)

PATENTS

Documents required for Non-PCT Patent Registration

1. An application letter requesting for the grant of a patent
2. An application form
3. A description of the invention
4. All particulars of the applicant and those of the inventor
5. Power of Attorney (when application is done by an agent “delegation” for foreign company not registered in Rwanda)
6. An abstract of the invention with their prospective claims
7. A copy of the company registration certificate
8. I.D or Passport of the company representative

Documents required for PCT Patent Registration

1. A copy of the communication received by the applicant concerning results of any search or examination carried out in respect of a foreign application.
2. A certified or ordinary copy of the patent or title of protection granted on the basis of the foreign application.
3. A copy of a final decision rejecting the foreign application and/ or refusing the grant required in the foreign application.

A copy of the final decision validating the patent granted on the basis of the foreign application.