Trademark registration in Gambia is handled by the Registrar General’s Office, typically on a single-class basis. Rights extend exclusively to the goods or services indicated in each class.
• Applicants must file a clear depiction of the trademark and settle official fees.
• A substantive examination ensures that the trademark has sufficient distinctiveness and does not conflict with previously registered trademarks.
• Registrations are valid for 10 years from the date of filing, renewable for additional 10-year terms.
• Applicants must provide accurate details about their identity (name, address) and the goods or services under one class per application.
• ARIPO membership grants an optional regional avenue, allowing applicants to seek protection for Gambia and other ARIPO member states through a single filing procedure.
Once registered, a trademark confers exclusive rights and can be enforced locally if unauthorized use is discovered.