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.