A recent Sudanese referendum voted that Southern Sudan break away from the Northern part of Sudan.
20/06/2011

A recent Sudanese referendum voted that Southern Sudan break away from the Northern part of Sudan.
Although there are conflicting reports, we understand that once the new state of Southern Sudan is officially declared as independent on 9 July 2011, trademark rights secured through the Registry in Khartoum will no longer be recognized in the new state of Southern Sudan. In order to obtain trade mark protection in Southern Sudan, marks must be registered at Registry in Juba.

Despite the lack of local Intellectual Property Law in Southern Sudan, we have been given to believe that there is an operational registry in Juba receiving applications and issuing registration certificates. Under the constitution of Southern Sudan, the country is allowed to use the laws of Sudan until new laws are passed.

No official directives regarding procedures/costs have been announced and this is only expected after 9 July 2011. Complications arise in that Sudanese Trade Mark Law requires legalised supporting documentation and the creation of Southern Sudanese Consular Offices around the world are likely to be sometime off. As soon as we receive clarity on the way forward, we will update this article.

Africa Trade Mark Department