Trademark matters in Liberia are overseen by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Applicants can file multi-class applications, enabling the registration of a trademark across multiple classes of goods or services within a single application.
A clear representation of the trademark must be submitted, accompanied by the prescribed official fees.
Applications undergo a substantive examination to ensure compliance with distinctiveness requirements and to verify that there are no conflicts with existing rights.
Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from the filing date, with the possibility of renewal for successive 10-year periods.
Applicants must provide accurate details, including their name, address, and a comprehensive list of the goods or services covered, classified according to the Nice Classification system.
Liberia is a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and a contracting party to the Banjul Protocol, which facilitates regional trademark registration. This allows applicants to seek trademark protection in Liberia and other member states through a single application filed with ARIPO.
Upon successful registration, trademark owners in Liberia have access to enforcement mechanisms, including administrative and judicial actions, to address instances of unauthorized use or infringement.