Somalia: Trademark

Since Somalia does not maintain a trademark registration system, rights holders often rely on cautionary notices. These are announcements published in local newspapers and sometimes in other public channels:

• Applicants include a clear reproduction of the trademark and a declaration of ownership.

• No formal examination is conducted; protection hinges solely on public awareness.

• No official renewal mechanism exists. Many rights holders periodically republish notices to reiterate ownership.

• Applicant details (name, address, and scope of goods or services) must be accurately stated in each notice.

Cautionary notices do not carry the same legal certainty as a robust registration system but can help demonstrate a claim of ownership in Somalia.