Burundi

General Information

• Capital: Bujumbura
• Population: 5.73 million
• Area: 27 834 km2
• Languages: French, Kirundi - official languages. Swahili.
• Exports: Coffee; tea; cotton; hides and skins.
• Imports: Capital goods; petroleum products; foodstuffs; consumer goods.
• Currency: Burundi Franc

Trade Marks

International Conventions

WIPO, WTO, Paris Union.

Requirements for Application

(a) Power of attorney (in French), simply signed.
(b) Twelve prints and a printing block of the trade mark - word and device marks.

Classification

Whilst there is no formal classification, the international classification of goods and services is recognised and applicants should merely list the goods/services of interest. A single application may cover more than one class.

Procedure

Examination as to formal requirements only.

Opposition

No provision

Use

No provision.

Duration and Renewal

Unlimited.

Licensing/Registered Users

Concept is recognised although no express provision.

Assignments

Assignments must be made with the goodwill of the business. Recordation is required.

Requirements

(a) Original certificate of registration for endorsement;
(b) Power of attorney from the assignee, in French;
(c)Original deed of assignment in French or filed together with a sworn translation.

Marking of Goods

Notice of registration by use of the legend ‘Marque Déposée’ optional.

Follow the importer’s instructions or specific contract specifications.

Patents

General

Patent protection is obtainable via a national filing. Burundi is a member of the International Convention, WTO but is not a member of PCT. A granted foreign patent can also be registered in Burundi as a patent of importation.

Patentable Subject Matter

Inventions that can be reduced to practice as articles of industry or trade are patentable.

Filing Requirements

Neither legalization nor notarisation of any documents is required. A specification in French is needed

Novelty

An invention is new if it has not been publicly used in Burundi or published anywhere before the filing date or the priority date, unless, in the case of a patent of importation, such publication is exclusively the result of a legal obligation that the inventor could not avoid. Any foreign patent which is in force may be used as the basis for a patent of importation or confirmation.

Examination

The application is subjected to formal examination only.

Duration/Maintenance

Patents are granted for a term of twenty years counting from the date of application and patents of importation last for the unexpired term of the patent on which the patent of importation is based, but not exceeding twenty years. Burundi law does not provide for payment of maintenance fees.

Working

The patented article must be worked in Burundi within two years from the date of working abroad; otherwise, an interested party may bring cancellation proceedings.

Licences/Assignments

In order to be effective against third parties, Licences and Assignments should be recorded.