Rwanda

General Information

• Capital: Kigali
• Population: 8.15 million
• Area: 26 338 km2
• Languages: French, Kinyarwanda – official languages. English, Swahili
• Exports: Coffee; tea; tin ore; hides
• Imports: Foodstuffs; machinery and equipment; steel; petroleum products; construction material
• Currency: Rwandan Franc

Trade Marks

International Conventions

WIPO, WTO, Paris Union, Berne Union.

Requirements for Application

(a) Power of attorney (in French), simply signed.
(b) Twenty 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

Applications are examined 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 are possible and must be made with goodwill of the business

Requirements

(a) Notarised deed of assignment in French or accompanied by a verified translation;
(b) Power of attorney from the assignee.

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. Rwanda is a member of the International Convention and WTO, but is not a member of PCT. A granted foreign patent can also be registered in Rwanda as a patent of importation.

Patentable Subject Matter

An invention must be reducible to practice as an article of industry or trade and must be capable of being used in industry or trade.

Filing Requirements

Some documents require notarisation but no legalization is required. A specification in French is needed.

Novelty

An invention is new if the invention has not been publicly used in Rwanda or published anywhere before the filing date, unless in the case of a patent of importation such publication is exclusively the result of a legal obligation, which the inventor could not avoid.

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 filing. Patents of importation are granted for the unexpired term of the granted foreign patent on which the Rwanda patent is based, but cannot exceed twenty years. There is no provision for payment of maintenance fees.

Working

The invention must be worked in Rwanda within two years from the date of any working abroad, otherwise the patent may be subjected to revocation proceedings.

Licences/Assignments

Licences and Assignments must be recorded to be effective against third parties.