Setting up Business in Swaziland 12. Intellectual Property
12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
12.1 What is the procedure concerning the registration of intellectual property rights? What does this cost and how long would it take?
· A local patent or trademark developed in Swaziland must be registered in either the UK or South Africa before it can be put into operation.
· After such registration, a copy of the registration certificate must be submitted to the Swaziland Registrar of Trade Marks.
· Registered patents lapse after 20 years, subject to the payment of annual renewal fees commencing after the third year.
· Swaziland is a member of the African Industrial Property Organisation. On application, the ARIPO office may grant the patent or design and thereafter the Swazi authorities decide whether to accept such grant. The applicant has an advantage since he may designate a number of states, which are members of ARIPO, as territories, in which the patent may be protected.
12.2 Would you be able to assist us with this? If not, could you recommend someone?
Our office in Mbabane would be able to assist in this matter.
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