Trademark Renewals
In Sierra Leone, trademark renewals are governed by the Trademark Act 2014. The renewal process ensures that trademark owners maintain exclusive rights over their registered marks and avoid lapses in protection due to non-renewal. Below is a detailed explanation of the practices and procedures involved in trademark renewals in Sierra Leone:
The validity of a registered trademark in Sierra Leone is ten (10) years from the date of filing of the application for registration. And the trademark can be renewed indefinitely for additional periods of ten (10) years.
The renewal timeline begins six (6) months before the expiration date of the trademark registration, and the Trademark Act, 2014, provides a grace period of six (6) months after the expiration date during which the trademark can still be renewed.
The renewal requirements must include the trademark registration details, which are the name and address of the trademark owner, the trademark registration number, the class or classes of goods/services for which the trademark was registered, a simply signed power of attorney (if applicable), and proof of payment of the prescribed renewal official fee.
The office of the Administrator and Registrar General (0ARG) will issue the renewal certificate confirming that the trademark registration has been successfully renewed for another 10 years. The time frame from the filing of the renewal application to the issuance of the certificate is between three to four months. The renewed trademark retains the same registration number and maintains its original filing date.
In the event the trademark owner fails to renew the trademark within the stipulated time (including the grace period), the mark will be considered expired. And an expired trademark loses legal protection, and the rights associated with it lapse. Once a trademark is expired, it may become available for registration by other parties. However, expired trademarks may be restored if the owner can provide a valid reason for the delay in renewal. Restoration is subject to the discretion of the registrar and may require additional fees or documentation to support the application.
