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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Ethiopia

To register a trademark in Ethiopia, file through a registered local agent with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA); Ethiopia is not a Madrid or ARIPO member. A Paris Convention member since 15 August 2025, it allows priority claims within 6 months. Registration lasts 7 years from the filing date, renewable for 7 years.

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Five questions first

Which route?Madrid and ARIPO designations are not available: file directly with the EIPA through a registered Ethiopian agent. If your home application is less than 6 months old, you can claim priority.Details ↓What do I need?A copy of the business licence or certificate of incorporation, an authenticated power of attorney, the mark (with transliteration and translation of words in other scripts) and the goods or services by Nice class; documents in other languages need an English translation.Details ↓How are official fees charged?In Ethiopian birr: the filing fee of ETB 1,750 covers 1 class and each extra class adds 50%; after acceptance, a registration fee of ETB 3,000 plus publication costs. Service fees are quoted separately.Details ↓How long does it take?The EIPA website says about 3 months at most with no refusal or opposition (estimate); statutory steps include a 60-day opposition period after publication and 90 days to pay the registration fee. No official statistics.Details ↓What are the main risks?Rights come from registration, so the first to file wins; the term is only 7 years and renewal is filed within 3 months after expiry; a colour registration protects only that colour scheme; 3 years of non-use allows cancellation.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Ethiopia: key facts

OfficeEthiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) in Addis Ababa, established in 2003 under Proclamation No. 320/2003 (originally the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office). Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawTrademark Registration and Protection Proclamation No. 501/2006 (in force on publication in the Federal Negarit Gazeta on 7 July 2006); procedure and official fees under the Council of Ministers Trademark Registration and Protection Regulation No. 273/2012 (in force 24 December 2012)
Basis of rightsRegistration: trademark rights arise when the registration certificate is issued and are then enforceable against third parties; a mark well known in Ethiopia can block the registration of an identical or similar mark even if it is unregistered
Madrid System and ARIPONeither applies: Ethiopia is not a Madrid member and not a party to the ARIPO Banjul Protocol, so applications go directly to the EIPA; for ARIPO member states see ARIPO trademark registration
Paris Convention and priorityAcceded to the Paris Convention on 15 May 2025, in force 15 August 2025; priority can be claimed within 6 months of the first application abroad, with a certified copy of the earlier application or other proof of priority filed within 90 days of the Ethiopian filing date
One mark, several classesAn application may cover only one mark but may list several Nice classes: the filing fee covers 1 class and each additional class adds 50% of that fee
Foreign applicants and agentsAn applicant with no domicile or registered business in Ethiopia must appoint a registered trademark agent domiciled in Ethiopia, with an authenticated power of attorney; documents are filed in Amharic or English, with translations of documents in other languages
ExaminationFormal examination, then substantive examination: absolute grounds such as distinctiveness, plus a search of earlier registrations and pending applications; formal defects are corrected within 90 days and office actions answered within 90 days, extendable by 90 days up to twice
Publication and opposition (statutory)Accepted marks are published in the weekly IP Gazette at the applicant's expense; opposition may be filed within 60 days of publication, extendable by the EIPA for a further 60 days; the applicant gets at least 90 days to reply
Term and renewal (statutory)7 years from the filing date, renewable for 7 years at a time; renewal is filed within 3 months after expiry, then within a further 6 months with a 50% surcharge; after that the registration is deemed abandoned and removed from the register
Consequences of non-use (statutory)If the mark has not been used in Ethiopia for 3 or more consecutive years before the request without a legitimate reason, any interested person can request cancellation, which can be limited to the unused goods; force majeure is the only exception
Fee currencyEthiopian birr (ETB), at the same rates for local and foreign applicants: filing ETB 1,750 (1 class), registration ETB 3,000, renewal application ETB 1,300 plus renewal registration ETB 2,200
Customs measuresWith the registration certificate and a guarantee, the owner can apply in writing for customs to detain suspected infringing imports or exports; the goods are released if no court injunction is obtained within 10 working days

Checked on 2026-10-15; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Direct filing: whether to claim priority

Ethiopia is not a member of the Madrid System, so an international registration cannot designate it; nor is it an ARIPO member, so an ARIPO application does not reach it. The only route is direct filing with the EIPA through a registered local agent. The real choice is whether to claim priority from an earlier application filed abroad: Ethiopia has been a Paris Convention member since 15 August 2025, and Article 13 of the Regulation allows an earlier application in a Paris Convention member to serve as the basis for priority.

ItemDirect filing (no priority claim)Claiming priority from an earlier application
PrerequisiteNone; use this route if you have no earlier application or it was filed more than 6 months agoFile with the EIPA within 6 months of your first application abroad and declare the priority claim in the application
Filing dateThe date the EIPA receives the application; the 7-year term also runs from that dayThe filing date of your earlier application counts as the filing date; the term is still 7 years
Extra stepsNoneWithin 90 days of the Ethiopian filing date, file a copy of the earlier application certified by the office of first filing, or other proof of priority; Article 11 of the Regulation requires the representation to be identical to the mark on the home registration certificate, so if the earlier application is still pending, follow your agent's guidance
Official feesFiling fee ETB 1,750 for 1 class, plus 50% per additional class; registration fee ETB 3,000 after acceptanceSame as direct filing; the fee schedule lists no priority fee
RiskSomeone who files first in the gap between your home application and your Ethiopian application can block you; for similar applications filed on the same day, the EIPA prefers whoever used the mark first in EthiopiaA priority claim that does not meet the requirements is treated as not made and the actual filing date applies; the supporting documents must be filed on time
Best forYou have not filed elsewhere yet, or your earlier application is more than 6 months oldYou filed abroad less than 6 months ago, especially if you are worried about a pre-emptive filing in Ethiopia

If you are also covering East Africa, compare Trademark registration in Kenya: Kenya can be designated through Madrid, while Ethiopia requires direct filing.

Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will advise you based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

Foreign companies and individuals filing with the EIPA through a registered Ethiopian agent usually prepare the following information and documents. Documents are filed in Amharic or English; documents in other languages need an English translation.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, the name on its business licence, with an English version), address and nationality or place of incorporation
  • A company provides a copy of its business licence or certificate of incorporation and proof that the person signing the application is authorised to act for it; for foreign applicants the EIPA also accepts a foreign trademark registration certificate as proof of identity

Power of attorney

  • A power of attorney to a registered Ethiopian trademark agent; the Proclamation requires it to be duly authenticated, and the specific notarisation or legalisation steps follow your agent's instructions
  • The agent must be registered with the EIPA and domiciled in Ethiopia; the EIPA publishes the list of agents every year

The mark

  • Representations of the mark: the EIPA asks for 1 large A4 copy and 8 small copies; a black-and-white registration protects all colour schemes, a colour registration only that scheme, and a claim to a colour combination needs 3 additional colour copies with a description of where each colour appears
  • A short description of the device for figurative marks
  • Words in a script other than Amharic or Latin (such as Chinese) need an Amharic or Latin transliteration stating the language; the EIPA may require a translation

Goods or services

  • The specific goods or services with their class numbers under the Nice Classification; one application may cover several classes
  • An application may cover only one mark; a series of marks can be filed separately and merged under the Regulation

Basis of filing

  • Rights come from registration; no evidence of use is needed at filing
  • Earlier application abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months, with a certified copy of the earlier application or other proof of priority filed within 90 days of the filing date

When accepting a mark, the EIPA often requires a disclaimer of non-distinctive elements, and accepting the disclaimer is a condition of registration; consider adding one before filing.

A mark consisting only of the applicant's surname or of the full name of a living person cannot be registered, and sound and smell marks are not registrable.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application through an agent with no office action and no opposition. Periods marked "statutory" are set by the Proclamation and the Regulation.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Your agent can request an official search from the EIPA (fee ETB 450) to settle the classes and the wording of the goods; the EIPA has no public online trademark database

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    The agent files the application form (in duplicate), the representations, proof of identity and the authenticated power of attorney and pays the filing fee; formal defects must be corrected within 90 days of the notice (statutory) or the application is refused

  3. Step 3

    Substantive examination

    Absolute grounds are examined and earlier registrations and pending applications searched; an office action is answered within 90 days (statutory), extendable by 90 days up to twice for a fee

  4. Step 4

    Acceptance and publication

    The EIPA notifies acceptance and publishes the mark; the applicant pays the publication costs within 60 days of the notice (statutory) or the application is deemed abandoned; publication is in the weekly IP Gazette

  5. Step 5

    Opposition period

    60 days from publication (statutory), extendable by the EIPA for a further 60 days; if opposed, you reply within the period set in the notice, at least 90 days, and the EIPA decides within 90 days of the reply

  6. Step 6

    Registration fee and certificate

    Once the opposition period ends or an opposition is rejected, the EIPA asks for the registration fee and may require a disclaimer; pay within 90 days and accept the disclaimer, and the mark is registered and the certificate issued (statutory). The EIPA website says the whole process takes about 3 months at most with no refusal or opposition (estimate)

The EIPA publishes only application numbers by applicant origin, not examination times; "about 3 months at most" is the EIPA website's own statement, and cases with office actions or oppositions take longer. An EIPA refusal can be appealed to the Federal court within 60 days.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees are in Ethiopian birr (ETB), at the same rates for local and foreign applicants; the current rates are in the schedule to Regulation No. 273/2012 (in force 24 December 2012), and the amounts on the EIPA fees page match it. The filing fee covers 1 class; if the mark covers several classes, each additional class adds 50% of the fee. Publication costs are borne by the applicant at actual cost.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Application fee (per application, one class included)Per application1,750 ETB≈ USD 11
Application fee, each additional class (50% of the basic fee)Each additional class875 ETB≈ USD 5
Paid on registration
Registration fee (payable within 90 days of the notice of acceptance, one class included)Per application3,000 ETB≈ USD 18
Registration fee, each additional class (50% of the basic fee)Each additional class1,500 ETB≈ USD 9
Keeping the registration
Renewal application fee (per registration, one class included; filed within 3 months after expiry)Per application1,300 ETB≈ USD 8
Renewal fee (per registration, one class included; 7-year term)Per application2,200 ETB≈ USD 14
Renewal application fee, each additional class (50% of the basic fee)Each additional class650 ETB≈ USD 4
Renewal fee, each additional class (50% of the basic fee)Each additional class1,100 ETB≈ USD 7
Recordal of transfer of ownership (per registration)Per application1,300 ETB≈ USD 8
Recordal of a licence contract (per registration)Per application1,300 ETB≈ USD 8
Other
Official search for registered trademarks (per request)Per application450 ETB≈ USD 3
Amendment of an application (per application)Per application350 ETB≈ USD 2
Request for extension of a time limit (per request)Per application500 ETB≈ USD 3
Opposition to registration (per opposition)Per application1,500 ETB≈ USD 9
Application for cancellation or invalidation of a registration (per application)Per application2,600 ETB≈ USD 16
Substitute certificate of registration (per certificate)Per application495 ETB≈ USD 3

Source: EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 1；EIPA, Trademark Application procedure ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Article 56(2)；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 4, Article 31；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 5；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 6；Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Article 56(2), Schedule item 5；Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Article 56(2), Schedule item 6；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 11；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 12；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 21；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 2；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 20, Article 20；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 3；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 10；EIPA, Trademark Services and Fees ; Council of Ministers Regulation No. 273/2012 Schedule item 9 · current fees in force since 2012-12-24 · checked on 2026-10-15 · USD figures are approximate, converted at the Bank of China spot selling rate (or, for currencies it does not quote, at the central bank's published USD rate); the official fee is the amount in the original currency

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

Example: for 2 classes, pay a filing fee of ETB 1,750 + 875 = ETB 2,625 at filing; after acceptance, a registration fee of ETB 3,000 + 1,500 = ETB 4,500, so ETB 7,125 in official fees in total, plus publication costs. For 1 class, the filing and registration fees total ETB 4,750.

Other items: official search ETB 450; opposition ETB 1,500; extension of time ETB 500; renewal application ETB 1,300 plus renewal registration ETB 2,200, with a 50% surcharge for renewal in the grace period; recording an assignment ETB 1,300; recording a licence contract ETB 1,300.

Service fees, including the Ethiopian local agent's fee, are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Ethiopia and common refusals

These are rules specific to Ethiopia that are easy to overlook, and common issues in examination.

The term is only 7 years, and renewal is filed after expiry

Registration expires 7 years from the filing date, and each renewal also lasts only 7 years. Under Article 25 of the Proclamation, renewal is filed within 3 months after expiry; for a further 6 months it is still possible with a 50% surcharge. If 9 months pass without renewal, the registration is deemed abandoned and removed from the register, and anyone, including the former owner, may apply afresh. If you manage marks in several countries, record the Ethiopian 7-year expiry date separately.

Black and white protects all colours, a colour registration only that scheme

Article 5 of the Proclamation states that a mark registered in black and white is protected in all colour combinations, while a mark registered in colour is protected only in the registered combination. Unless colour is central to the brand, file a black-and-white representation for wider protection; a claim to a colour combination needs 3 additional colour copies with a description of where each colour appears.

Surnames, names of living persons, sounds and smells cannot be registered

A mark consisting only of the applicant's surname, or only of the full name of a living person without consent, is unregistrable, and sound and smell marks are not accepted. If the brand is a founder's name, add a device or other elements, or first build a reputation through use in Ethiopia.

First to file wins; well-known marks are the exception

Trademark rights arise when the registration certificate is issued, so an unregistered mark generally cannot stop someone else registering it. The exception is well-known marks: a mark identical or similar to, or a translation of, a mark well known or established through use in Ethiopia is refused, and since August 2025 Article 6bis of the Paris Convention also applies. If you find a pre-emptive filing, oppose within 60 days of publication or, after registration, ask the EIPA to invalidate it; an EIPA decision can be appealed to the Federal court within 60 days.

The power of attorney must be authenticated, and documents must be in Amharic or English

Article 8 of the Proclamation requires a foreign applicant to appoint a registered agent domiciled in Ethiopia, with an authenticated power of attorney; the EIPA's checklist for foreign applicants also lists an "authenticated power of attorney" and a business licence or certificate of incorporation. Documents filed with the EIPA may only be in Amharic or English; documents in other languages need a translation, and the EIPA returns translations it considers inaccurate.

3 consecutive years of non-use allows cancellation

After registration, if the mark has not been used in Ethiopia for 3 or more consecutive years before the request without a legitimate reason, any interested person can ask the EIPA to cancel it; non-use on only some goods leads to partial cancellation, and only force majeure excuses non-use. Use in a form that does not alter the distinctive character counts as use. If you register before entering the market, keep evidence of use in Ethiopia.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

An Ethiopian registration needs no periodic declaration of use, but the 7-year term is short, renewal is filed after expiry, and 3 consecutive years of non-use can lead to cancellation.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Ongoing after registrationUse the mark in Ethiopia and keep evidence; after 3 or more consecutive years of non-use, any interested person can request cancellationNone
Within 3 months after expiry (7 years from the filing date, then every 7 years)Renewal (EIPA Form 06) for a further 7 years; the mark cannot be changed at renewal, only goods deletedRenewal application ETB 1,300 plus renewal registration ETB 2,200 (1 class; each additional class adds 50%)
3 to 9 months after expiryRenewal in the grace period; after 9 months the registration is deemed abandoned and removed from the register and cannot be restoredRenewal fees plus a 50% surcharge
At any timeRecording an assignment (Form 04) with the assignment agreement; recording a licence contract and its amendment or termination, without which it is not enforceable against third parties; change of name or address (Form 07)Assignment ETB 1,300; licence ETB 1,300; licence termination ETB 450; amendment of the registration ETB 350 application fee plus ETB 360 amendment fee
When goods are importedApply in writing to customs, with the registration certificate and a guarantee, to detain suspected infringing goods; obtain a court injunction within 10 working daysGuarantee amount set by customs

A licence contract must provide for effective control by the licensor over the quality of the goods or services, or it is invalid; collective marks cannot be licensed. E-commerce brand registries usually require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Ethiopia

How much does an Ethiopian trademark cost?

Official fees are in birr, the same for local and foreign applicants, and are paid in two stages: a filing fee of ETB 1,750 (1 class) at filing, plus 50%, ETB 875, for each additional class; after acceptance, a registration fee of ETB 3,000 (also plus 50% per additional class), with publication costs paid at actual cost. For 1 class, the filing and registration fees total ETB 4,750. Service fees, including the local agent's fee, are quoted by the agent after you submit the order.

How long does trademark registration in Ethiopia take?

The EIPA publishes no examination-time statistics; its website says that with no refusal and no opposition, registration takes about 3 months at most. The statutory steps are: formal defects corrected within 90 days, office actions answered within 90 days, publication costs paid within 60 days of acceptance, a 60-day opposition period after publication, and the registration fee paid within 90 days of the notice before the certificate is issued. Cases with office actions or oppositions take noticeably longer.

Can I register an Ethiopian trademark through the Madrid System or ARIPO?

No to both. Ethiopia is not a member of the Madrid System, so an international registration cannot designate it; nor is it an ARIPO member, so an ARIPO application does not cover it. You must file directly with the EIPA through a registered Ethiopian trademark agent. Ethiopia has been a Paris Convention member since 15 August 2025, so priority can be claimed within 6 months of an earlier application abroad.

Does a foreign company need a local agent in Ethiopia?

Yes. Article 8 of the Trademark Registration and Protection Proclamation requires an applicant with no domicile or registered business in Ethiopia to appoint an agent domiciled in Ethiopia. The agent must be registered with the EIPA and be either a practising Ethiopian lawyer or hold at least a diploma in a relevant field with 3 years of trademark experience and have passed the EIPA's competency assessment. The power of attorney must be authenticated; the specific steps follow your agent's instructions.

How long does an Ethiopian trademark last, and how is it renewed?

Registration lasts 7 years from the filing date and can be renewed for 7 years at a time, indefinitely. Renewal is filed within 3 months after expiry, paying the renewal application fee of ETB 1,300 and the renewal registration fee of ETB 2,200; if you miss it, renewal is still possible for a further 6 months with a 50% surcharge. If 9 months pass after expiry without renewal, the registration is deemed abandoned and removed from the register, and only a new application is possible. The mark cannot be changed at renewal; only goods or services can be deleted.

Can one application cover several classes?

Yes. An application may cover only one mark, but the goods or services may fall in several Nice classes: the filing fee of ETB 1,750 covers 1 class and each additional class adds 50% of the fee; the registration and renewal fees follow the same rule.

Other IP rights

Patents: Ethiopian patents are examined by the EIPA under the Inventions, Minor Inventions and Industrial Designs Proclamation (No. 123/1995); a patent lasts 15 years from the filing date, extendable by 5 years on proof that the invention is being worked in Ethiopia; utility models last 5 years, renewable for 5 years. Ethiopia is not a PCT member, so only direct filing is possible.

Industrial designs: registration lasts 5 years from the filing date, extendable twice for 5 years each on proof of use in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is not a member of the Hague Agreement, so applications are filed directly with the EIPA.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Kenya　·　Tanzania　·　Sudan　·　Egypt　·　Trademark registration in Africa: country guides

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