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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN LIBERIA

Algeria Flag

Opposition Term

60 days

Registration Term

10 Years

First Renewal Term

10 Years

Subsequent Renewal Term

10 Years

  • For getting a trademark registered in Liberia, an applicant may either file the trademark application with the Liberia Industrial Property Office (LIPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or register the proposed trademark regionally through the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO).

  • While the holders of registered trademarks in Liberia may not oppose a trademark application for similar trademarks during their registration process, cancellation actions may be presented if the conflicting trademark is to be used corresponding to similar goods or services.

  • The registered trademarks have a validity of ten (10) years from the date of registration in Liberia, which can be further renewed indefinitely for periods of ten (10) years.

  • Liberia is a member of the Paris Convention, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and ARIPO.

  • Industrial Property Act, 2014 deals with the mechanism of patent protection.

  • Process Patent and Product Patent are the two types of patents that can be protected in Liberia.

  • In Liberia, an invention that satisfies the conditions of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, subjects to patentability.

  • The types of patent applications in Liberia include Non-Convention Application, Convention Application, PCT National Phase Application, and Divisional Application.

  • Utility Model Protection is available under the patent law.

  • The time-period for the PCT National Phase Filing is thirty (30) months.

  • Opposition against a patent application can't be raised in Liberia.

  • The patent of invention lasts for twenty (20) years in Liberia. The protection term for a utility model patent is ten (10) years.

  • The time frame for payment of Annuities before the due date is six (06) months.

  • Liberia is a member of the Paris Convention and ARIPO.

  • The Industrial Property Act, 2014, deals with the mechanism of registration of industrial designs.

  • The types of industrial design applications in Liberia include Non-Convention Application and Convention Application.

  • Utility model protection isn't provided under industrial design protection in Liberia.

  • Opposition against an industrial design application can't be raised in Liberia.

  • The initial term of an industrial design registration is ten (10) years, which is further extendible for ten (10) years upon payment of the renewal fee.

  • There is a grace period of six (06) months to renew an industrial design in Liberia.

  • Liberia is a signatory to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

  • The Industrial Property Act, 2014, deals with the mechanism of copyright protection in Liberia.

  • The Act grants copyright protection to a wide range of creative works such as literary works, artistic works, musical works, dramatic works, sound recordings, and computer programs, along with the works created by individuals, corporations, government, and international bodies.

  • As per the Act, official texts, news of the day and political speeches can't obtain copyright protection.

  • Depending upon the type of work involved, the term of copyright protection differs in Liberia. In the case of literary, dramatic-musical, and artistic works, the copyright protection term lasts for the lifetime of the author plus fifty (50) years following his death. In the case of a photograph, copyright protection shall subsist until a period of fifty (50) years from the date of its publication.