Patents in Lesotho are granted upon satisfactory review by the Registrar General’s Office. Inventions must meet criteria for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
• The patent term is 20 years from the filing date, contingent on timely payment of annual maintenance fees.
• Applicants must submit a specification, claims, and any relevant technical documentation.
• A substantive examination confirms the invention’s compliance with patentability standards.
• Membership in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows foreign applicants to enter Lesotho at the national phase, and ARIPO membership adds another avenue for broader regional coverage.
Once granted, a patent confers exclusive rights to the inventor within Lesotho, with legal channels available to address unauthorized exploitation.