Spoor & Fisher - Intellectual Property law specialists Patents, trade marks, copyright, design, domain names, South Africa and Africa

Somalia

Capital: Mogadishu
Population: 7 million
Major languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English
Major religion: Islam
Form of government: Republic
Monetary unit: 1 Somali shilling = 100 cents
Main exports: Livestock, bananas, hides, fish
Internet domain: .so
Time zone: GMT+3
International dialling code: +252

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Trade Marks

International Arrangements:

None.

Categories of Trade Marks:

There are provisions for the registration of CERTIFICATION MARKS.

Although no provisions exist for the registration of SERVICE MARKS, these are accepted by the Registrar on the basis that they fall within the ‘miscellaneous’ Class 49.

There are provisions for the registration of DEFENSIVE MARKS or SERIES MARKS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although the civil war has ended, the Registry is still not open and it is, therefore, still not possible to file any trade mark applications, renewals etc.

Classification:

The old Italian Classification of 49 classes applies.

A single application may cover any number of classes of goods (and/or services - see above).

Documents required:

A. New Applications

Power of Attorney (not legalised).
Printing block and 10 prints, except for word marks in ordinary type.

B. Renewals

Power of Attorney (not legalised).

C. Assignments/Mergers

Power of Attorney (not legalised).
Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified English or Italian translation.

D. Change of Name

Power of Attorney (not legalised).
Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English or Italian translation.

E. Change of Address

Power of Attorney (not legalised).

F. Licences/Registered Users

Powers of Attorney (not legalised) from proprietor and licensee.
Declaration and Statement of Case, with verified English or Italian translation.
Licence Agreement, with verified English or Italian translation.

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Trade Mark Forms

Somaliatrd.pdf

Related News Articles

1) Somalia & Somaliland - a Brief Profile Regarding the Registration of Trade Marks

2) Circular No. 346: Africa Newsletter (Trade Marks)

Patents

International arrangements:

WIPO (from 18 November 1982)

Types of Patents available:

Patents of Invention
Patents of Addition

Note: as a result of the ongoing civil unrest, the filing and processing of all patent applications is indefinitely halted.

Novelty requirement:

Absolute novelty is required.

Filing requirements:

Power of Attorney (simply signed) (required on the day of filing)
Specification, claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)

Grant:

The term of a patent is fifteen years from the filing date, which is not extendable. The patent of addition expires with the main patent. Renewal fees fall due annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date.

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Click Here for information on Somaliland.