Patents in Zimbabwe are granted for inventions that fulfill requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Filings can be done directly with ZIPO or via ARIPO’s Harare Protocol for wider coverage.
A patent remains valid for 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual maintenance fees.
Applicants submit a specification, claims, and any relevant drawings or technical documentation.
A substantive examination ensures the invention meets local patentability standards.
Zimbabwe’s membership in the PCT lets foreign applicants enter the national phase after an international application.
Once granted, the patent holder has exclusive rights to exploit the invention domestically, with infringement claims heard by local courts when unapproved use arises.