As part of the law in Nigeria, the Trademarks Act Chapter 436 of 1990, provides for registration of Trademark.
You can register a slogan, name, logo, domain name, colour and so on as your Trademark with the Commercial Law Department in the Ministry of Trade and Investment in Nigeria.
The registration can be done onsite at the office or online.
Requirements for Filing a Trademark in Nigeria
- Details of the applicant including full name(s), nationality and physical address of the applicant.
- The trademark Information
- A clear and distinct representation of the Trademark. For Trademarks filed online a soft copy in JPEG format at 1200 minimum dpi will be requested with a dimensions of 120px by 100px (length by breath)
- In case of Trademark for goods, the International Classification of Goods is the standard used in Nigeria.
- A Power of Attorney or Authorization of Agent simply signed, with full particulars of name(s), address (es) and nationality of the applicant(s). Full name(s) and capacity of the signatory when applicant is a firm/company.
Procedure for Registration of Trademarks in Nigeria
- An application for Trade mark registration is filed by way of an instruction to a local Attorney/Agent in Nigeria, who would file and process applications at the Nigerian Registry of Trade Marks, Patents, Designs and Copyright.
- The Registrar then issues an official acknowledgement reflecting the official number and filing date of the application.
- A preliminary search is conducted as to uniqueness from existing and pending registrations.
- The Registrar also examines the application and determines if it can be registered taking into consideration possible conflicts with prior registered or pending Trademarks.
- If the Registrar finds the trademark acceptable for registration, the applicant will be furnished with a letter/notice of acceptance.
According to the advise and guidelines posted by Hibberts business lawyers, every trade mark application must be advertised in the Nigerian Trademark Journal, and is open to opposition for a period of two (2) months from the date of advertisement.
If there is no objection received within the specified period or no objections are sustained, the Registrar will then proceed and issue the applicant with a certificate of registration.