Zimbabwe: Design

Zimbabwe protects industrial designs focusing on the novel or ornamental features of a product. Applications may be filed with ZIPO or regionally through ARIPO protocols.

• Applicants provide representations of the design and pay official fees.

• Design protection generally starts with an initial term of 10 years, renewable once up to 15 years.

• Applicants must accurately provide all relevant information to ensure valid registration.

A registered design confers exclusive rights in Zimbabwe, allowing the owner to stop unauthorized manufacture or sale of substantially similar products within the country.