Liberia

Population: 3 million
Major languages: English, various tribal languages
Major religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
Form of government: Multiparty republic
Monetary unit: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
Main exports: Diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa
Internet domain: .lr
Time zone: GMT
International dialling code: +231

TRADE MARKS

International Arrangements:

• Paris Union.
• Madrid Union

 

Categories of Trade Marks:

There are provisions for the registration of SERVICE MARKS.

There are no provisions for the registration of CERTIFICATION MARKS, DEFENSIVE MARKS or SERIES MARKS.

 

Classification:

The International Classification of goods and services applies.

A single application may cover any number of classes of goods and/or services.

 

Documents required:

A. New Applications

• Power of Attorney (incorporating Declaration).*
• Oath.*
• 8 prints, even for word marks in ordinary type
• Priority document (if applicable), with verified English translation

 

B. Renewals

• Power of Attorney.
• Copy of the Certificate of Registration and/or last renewal certificate.

 

C. Assignments/Mergers

• Power of Attorney.*
• Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified English translation.*

 

D. Change of Name

• Power of Attorney.*
• Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English translation.

 

E. Change of Address

• Power of Attorney.*

 

F. Licences/Registered Users

• Although the Law contains no provisions therefor, Licence Agreements will in practice be recorded by the Registrar.
• The documents required are as follows:

1. Powers of Attorney from proprietor and licensee.*
2. Licence Agreement, with verified English translation.

 

* Liberia is now a member of the Hague Convention for the legalisation of documents. Consequently, Powers of Attorney etc, should either be legalised up to a Liberian Consul or with an Apostille in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention.
PATENTS

International arrangements:

• Paris Union (from 27 August 1994)
• WIPO (from 8 March 1989)
• PCT (from 27 August 1994)

 

Note: The law in Liberia has not yet been amended to recognise the PCT. Although national phase applications are filed and accepted, we cannot guarantee that enforceable rights will be granted. Convention applications are recommended at this time.

 

Types of Patents available:

• Patents of Invention
• National Phase PCT application

 

Novelty requirements:

The invention must not have been:

• patented or described in a printed publication anywhere in the world, prior to the invention, by the original inventor;
• in public use or on sale in Liberia more than twelve months prior to the filing date; or
• described in a patent, granted on an application made by another in Liberia, before the filing date( or where applicable ) the priority date.

 

Filing requirements:

Patents of Invention (Non-PCT):

• Combined Petition/Power of Attorney (legalised) (can be late filed, no set deadline)
• Combined Oath by Inventor/Deed of Assignment (legalised) (can be late filed, no set deadline)
• Specification, claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
• Formal drawings, if applicable (required on the day of filing)

 

National Phase PCT application:

Liberian patent legislation does not make provision for PCT application, nor are filing requirements for such application specified. At present we advise applicants to lodge the same documents as for a non-PCT application, plus the following:

• Copy of International Publication
• Copy of International Search Report
• Copy of International Preliminary Report on Patentability

 

Grant:

The term of a patent is twenty years from the filing date. No renewal fees are payable for a non-PCT application. However renewal fees will be due annually from the first anniversary of the filing date of a PCT application