Trademark renewal in Nigeria. After registration, a registered trademark is in force for 7 years. After the 7-year period, the owner of the trademark can opt to keep the trademark active by paying the appropriate renewal fees. Trademark renewal in Nigeria can be done every 14 years from the date of filing, indefinitely so long as the trademark continues to be used as a trademark in Nigeria. Renewal of a trademark registration in Nigeria can be conducted as early as 12 months before the renewal due date. You can still renew up to six months past the trademark renewal date in Nigeria. However, additional fees for extension will be added to the renewal fees. AAED attorneys help prevent any additional fees being incurred or lapsing of the registration by sending you timely reminders before renewal is due. Consequences of non-renewal of a trademark in Nigeria Failure to renew a trademark by the expiry date means that the trademark will lose any rights and will be labeled lapsed. However, registration can be renewed within a six-month period after the renewal date. When this period has elapsed, the trademark may be deleted from the Nigerian Trade Marks Register. Unless you can successfully get an extension of time, you may need to lodge a new application for the trademark. Your trademark attorney can advise you of your options should you miss a renewal deadline. If your business has been actively gaining goodwill associated with the trademark, a lapsed trademark opens up a window for opportunistic trademark filings by any competitors for a similar or identical trademark in respect of the same goods and classes. Therefore, it is in your best interest to stay informed of the important dates in your trademark’s timeline and to keep your registration up to date. If you need assistance to renew a trademark in Nigeria, please contact our attorneys directly, email at admin@aaedlaw.com. Trademark Renewal in Nigeria

Trademark Renewal in Nigeria

Posted on by admin

Trademark renewal in Nigeria. After registration, a registered trademark is in force for 7 years. After the 7-year period, the owner of the trademark can opt to keep the trademark active by paying the appropriate renewal fees. Trademark renewal in Nigeria can be done every 14 years from the date of filing, indefinitely so long as the trademark continues to be used as a trademark in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Registration Agent - why is it required? The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, import, export, distribution, advertising, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water in Nigeria. Any foreign company engaging in the manufacture, export, distribution, advertising, or sale of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water in Nigeria must designate a NAFDAC Agent as its importer of record for the purpose of the NAFDAC registration. The NAFDAC registration agent must be a company registered in Nigeria. Our company acts as a NAFDAC registration agent on behalf of foreign manufacturers and exporters from around the world seeking a product launch in Nigeria. Our responsibilities as NAFDAC registration agents cover the following: Providing compliance services for manufacturers and exporters whose products are regulated by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Assisting NAFDAC in scheduling inspections of a foreign manufacturer's facility; Assisting NAFDAC in communications with a foreign manufacturer; Renewal of our clients' product registration with NAFDAC; Assisting with trademark registration, brand protection, and anti-counterfeiting services in Nigeria; Assisting with patent registration in Nigeria. Whether you are a food, beverage, pharmacuetical, cosmetic, or a medical device company looking for business expansion or a product launch in Nigeria; we got you covered. Contact us today or email at admin@aaedlaw.com.

NAFDAC Registration Agent

Posted on by admin

NAFDAC Registration Agent: Why is it required? The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, import, export, distribution, advertising, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water in Nigeria.

Any foreign company engaging in the manufacture, export, distribution, advertising, or sale of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water in Nigeria must designate a NAFDAC Agent as its importer of record for the purpose of the NAFDAC registration.

Trademark Opposition in Nigeria is the formal process by which a third party objects to the registration of a trademark in Nigeria. Oppositions can be filed by any person who believes they will be adversely impacted or commercially damaged by the registration of a pending trademark application. How to Oppose a Trademark in Nigeria If you believe a pending trademark resembles your own brand too closely, is confusingly similar, and covers the same or similar goods or services, then you may consider opposing that trademark application in Nigeria. The opposition process is time-bound and follows a strict timeline of actions that must be performed to avoid the opposition being dismissed. In Nigeria, you have 2 months from the date of the advertisement of the offending trademark in the Journal to start the process of opposition. A Notice of Intention to Oppose needs to be filed. Once a person files a Notice of Intention to Oppose, setting out the grounds upon which the mark should not proceed to registration, they will then be considered the ‘Opponent’. Within one month of receiving the Notice of Intention of the Opponent, the Applicant of the mark must file a Counterstatement, otherwise, the trademark application in Nigeria would be deemed abandoned. Grounds for Trademark Opposition in Nigeria Some of the grounds for opposing a trademark registration in Nigeria are as follows: The trademark is not capable of distinguishing the applicant’s goods and/or services from those of other traders; The trademark is similar to an earlier trademark that acquired a reputation in Nigeria; The applicant does not intend to use the trademark; The trademark is substantially identical with and/or deceptively similar to an earlier trademark. As the Opponent, you must file a Statutory Declaration in support of the Notice of Opposition. The evidence in support essentially provides information and evidence in the form of a declaration that supports the grounds upon which the registration of the trademark is opposed. The trademark applicant will have an opportunity to respond by filing its own evidence. Take notice that the Trademark Office in Nigeria will not notify you if a similar trademark to your own brand is filed. It is your responsibility as a trademark owner to monitor and watch the market for potential infringement and act accordingly. We assist our clients by carrying out a regular trademark watching service in Nigeria with a view to taking action against any new trademark applications of concern to our clients. If you would like to commence a trademark opposition in Nigeria or need assistance overcoming opposition in Nigeria, please contact our attorneys directly, email at admin@aaedlaw.com.

Trademark Opposition in Nigeria

Posted on by admin

Trademark opposition in Nigeria is the formal process by which a third party objects to the registration of a trademark in Nigeria.

Oppositions can be filed by any person who believes they will be adversely impacted or commercially damaged by the registration of a pending trademark application.