Trademarks in Lesotho are generally filed with the Registrar General’s Office and may be filed on a multiclass basis, allowing applicants to cover multiple classes of goods or services within a single application. Trademark rights extend only to the specific goods or services designated in the application.
• Applicants must submit a clear representation of the trademark and pay prescribed fees.
• A substantive examination ensures the trademark’s distinctiveness and checks conflicts with earlier registrations.
• Registrations remain valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for 10-year intervals.
• Applicants must accurately present their details (name, address) and specify the classes of goods and services.
• Lesotho’s ARIPO membership provides an optional regional filing route under certain ARIPO protocols.
Owners of registered trademarks can enforce exclusive rights in Lesotho’s courts or through administrative remedies if infringement emerges.