International and Regional Arrangements

Sierra Leone is a member of the Paris Convention, TRIPS and Madrid Union (Agreement and Protocol).

TRADEMARKS

Types of trademark registrable

Sierra Leone operates a “Single-Class” registration system (A separate application is required for each class of goods or services) there are provisions for the registration of certification marks and series marks but there are no provisions for service marks or defensive marks.

Documents required for trademark registration

1. Power of attorney (notarized)
2. Prints of the mark
3. Details of the applicant
4. A certified copy of the UK registration if the application is in respect of cotton goods
5. Specification of goods

Renewals

Duration of registration is for fourteen (14) years from the date of Application. This may be renewed indefinitely for subsequent periods of fourteen (14) years.

Documents required for Renewals

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
2. Proof of renewal of basic UK registration (if applicable).

Documents required for Assignments/Mergers

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
2. Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title with verified English translation, or proof of recording of assignment of basic registration in U.K. (if applicable).

Documents for Change of Name

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
2. Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English translation, or proof of recording of change of name against basic U.K. registration (if applicable).

Documents required for Change of Address

1. Power of Attorney simply signed.
2. Proof of recording of change of address against basic U.K registration (if applicable).

Documents required for Licenses/Registered Users

In case of independent trademarks, no provisions exist for the recording of licenses, in the case of UK based registrations the documents required are as follows:

1. Power of Attorney, simply signed, from proprietor and licensee.
2. Proof of recording of registered user against basic U.K. registration.

PATENTS

Filing Requirements

Re-registration of granted UK or European Patent

1. Power of Attorney (simply signed) (required on the day of filing)
2. Form of Application (simply signed) (required on the day of filing)
3. Two copies of granted UK or European patent (required on the day of filing)
4. Certificate from the British Comptroller giving particulars of the granted British patent

National Phase PCT Application

Sierra Leone has acceded to the PCT; however, no new law has been enacted which would recognize or allow for the filing of PCT applications, nor have filing requirements for such application been specified. However, in practice the Registrar allows the lodging of PCT applications that will be dealt with when the new law is enacted.

Duration and Renewal

The patent remains in force for so long as the UK patent on which it is based remains in force. The term of an ARIPO patent will be twenty (20) years from the filing date. No renewal fees are payable.