Zambia Information on the filing of Patents, Designs and trademarks in Zambia

Patents

Trademarks

PATENT REGISTRATIONS

Zambia is a member of the International Convention, ARIPO, and of the PCT.

The requirements for filing a non-PCT application in Zambia are as follows:

(a) Power of Attorney (simply signed) - can be late filed, no set deadline;
(b) Specification, claims, drawings, and abstract in English - required on the day of filing;
(c) Assignment of Invention - can be late filed, no set deadline; and
(d) Priority document with verified English translation - can be late filed, no set deadline.

The requirements for filing a PCT application in Zambia are as follows:

(i) Power of Attorney (simply signed) - can be late filed, no set deadline;
(ii) Specification, claims, drawings, and abstract in English - required on the day of filing;
(iii) Assignment of Invention - can be late filed, no set deadline;
(iv) Copy of PCT International advertisement - required on day of filing;
(v) Copy of International Search Report - can be late filed, no set deadline; and
(vi) Copy of International Preliminary Examination Report - can be late filed, no set deadline.

We estimate that the cost of filing a patent application in Zambia will be between about US$ 2800.00 and US$ 3000.00 (excluding translation fees, if necessary). To this must be added further costs of about US$ 200.00 for the subsequent lodgment of any outstanding documents.

TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS

1. Filing requirements

1.1 Full name, street address and description of the applicant (including trading style, if any, and state/country of incorporation, if incorporated).
1.2 List of goods and/or services.
1.3 A simply signed power of attorney.
1.4 If priority is claimed: a certified copy of basic application.

2. Classification

2.1 International classification.

3. General

3.1 Duration : 7 years from date of application and renewable for further periods of 14 years.
3.2 Use : If a mark has not been used for a continuous period of 5 years, it can be removed.
3.3 Marking : Not necessary.
3.4 Licenses : Permitted.
3.5 Collective marks : Registrable.
3.6 Assignments of applications are permitted.

4. Costs

4..1a Application: First trade mark/class $2040.00, additional classes filed simultaneously $1760.00 each.
4.2b Claiming priority: $135.00
4.2 Assignment: First trade mark/class $1200.00, additional trade marks/classes filed simultaneously $320.00 each.
4.3 Preparation of documents: $130.00.
4.4 Recordal of change of name: First trade mark/class $930.00, additional trade marks/classes filed simultaneously $180.00.
4.5 Recordal of change of address: First trade mark/class $530.00, additional trade marks/classes filed simultaneously $200.00.
4.6 Licenses: First trade mark $920.00, additional trade marks filed simultaneously $210.00 each.
4.7 Renewal: First class $1490.00, additional classes renewed simultaneously $1280.00 each.
4.8 Searches: In 1 mark in 1 class - From $320.00

* In the event that there is no official action/prosecution required this figure represents the expected costs through to registration