Quick info guide

Requirements for patent application

☑ a notarized document containing a description of the invention
☑ an abstract and where necessary drawings (the document has to be translated into English)
☑ a notarized and authenticated power of attorney to the patent agent or patent attorney in Ethiopia
☑ the completed patent application forms and;
☑ Payment of the prescribed fee


Contact information

Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office
Kasanchis - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
P.O.Box 25322/1000
Tel: +251 11 552 8000
Fax: +251 11 552 9299
Email: info@eipo.gov.et
Website: http://www.eipo.gov.et

How to acquire a patent in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office is entrusted with the powers of registration and protection of Intellectual property rights, including patents. It is advisable for women entrepreneurs with new ideas of a product or service to patent these ideas in order to safeguard their innovation/invention.

angle-left How to apply for a patent

How to apply for a patent

A person having the right to a patent for an invention may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, apply to the IP office for the grant of a patent for that invention.

After the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office examines the patent application, it will give either a Patent of Invention or a Patent of Introduction to the applicant. Subsequently, it publishes a reference to the grant of the patent in the official gazette and issue the applicant a certificate of the grant of the patent and a copy of the patent.

Duration of patent

If an inventor is granted the patent of invention, the invention will be valid for a period of 15 years. The validity of the patent may be extended for a further five years provided that proof is provided that the invention is being properly utlized in Ethiopia.

Record of the patent

The IP Office makes available copies of the patent to any person on payment of the prescribed fees.

Transfer of patents

Any patent or application for a patent may be transferred by sale or inheritance or any other means in accordance with Ethiopian law. Such transfer must be recorded with the responsible institution, upon payment of fees prescribed in the regulations.

Rights of a patentee

The patentee has the exclusive right to make, use or otherwise exploit the patented invention. A patentee does not, however, have import monopoly rights over the products of the patented invention in Ethiopia.

Termination

A patent will be considered to be terminated if either the patentee surrenders it by a written declaration to the Commission, or if the annual fee is not paid in due time.

Invalidation

If the subject matter of the patent is not patentable or if the description does not disclose the invention in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for it to be carried out by a person skilled in the art, a court may invalidate a patent in whole or in part upon request by an interested party.