Trademarks Law in Angola
Certainly! Here’s a clear overview of trademark law in Angola:
🇦🇴 Trademark Law in Angola
📜 Governing Legislation:
Industrial Property Law No. 3/92 (enacted in 1992, governs trademarks, patents, and industrial designs)
Supervised by the Instituto de Propriedade Industrial (IPI) — Angola’s Industrial Property Office
Angola is a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), so OAPI regulations and procedures apply.
🔖 What is a Trademark?
A trademark is any sign capable of distinguishing goods or services of one enterprise from those of others.
This includes words, logos, designs, letters, numbers, sounds, shapes, colors, or combinations thereof.
📋 Trademark Registration:
Mandatory registration is required to obtain trademark rights.
Trademarks are registered with the IPI or through the OAPI system.
Angola uses the OAPI centralized registration system — one registration protects a trademark in all member states, including Angola.
📝 Requirements for Registration:
The trademark must be distinctive and not deceptive.
Must not conflict with earlier trademarks or well-known marks.
Must not be generic or descriptive of the goods/services.
Not contrary to public order or morality.
⏳ Duration of Protection:
Initial registration lasts for 10 years from the filing date.
Renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods upon payment of renewal fees.
🛡️ Rights Conferred by Trademark Registration:
Exclusive right to use the trademark in connection with the registered goods/services.
Right to prevent unauthorized use, imitation, or registration by others.
Right to license or assign the trademark.
Right to bring legal action against infringement.
⚖️ Enforcement and Remedies:
Trademark infringement can result in civil and criminal penalties.
Remedies include:
Injunctions to stop infringement
Damages and compensation
Seizure and destruction of infringing goods
Enforcement is through Angolan courts and customs authorities.
🌍 International Treaties:
Angola is a member of:
African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
Through OAPI, Angola participates in the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks.
📝 Summary Table:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Industrial Property Law No. 3/92 |
| Office | Instituto de Propriedade Industrial (IPI) and OAPI |
| Registration | Required for protection |
| Duration | 10 years, renewable |
| Rights | Exclusive use, enforcement, licensing |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal penalties |
| International Treaties | OAPI, Paris Convention, Madrid Protocol |
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