Overview
Sierra Leone safeguards patents and industrial designs through a combination of national laws and its membership in the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). As a contracting party to the Harare Protocol, applicants may file for patents and industrial designs either directly with the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General at the national level or via ARIPO by designating Sierra Leone in their applications.
Trademark protection, however, is governed solely by national legislation, as Sierra Leone is not a party to the Banjul Protocol, which facilitates regional trademark registration through ARIPO. Therefore, applicants seeking trademark registration must file directly with the national office.
Sierra Leone’s intellectual property framework aligns with recognized international standards, providing both local and foreign applicants with avenues to register and enforce their rights. Rights holders can pursue legal and administrative remedies in cases of infringement, ensuring a degree of legal certainty and protection within the country.
If you need further information on filing procedures or enforcement mechanisms in Sierra Leone, feel free to ask.
International Conventions
Sierra Leone is party to various treaties that influence its IP regulations, including:
Paris Convention
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)