The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) is an autonomous unit of the
Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency. It was established in 2003 to provide legal protection for
Intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The best-known types are patents, co ...
(IP) rights. It is based in
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa (; ,) is the capital city of Ethiopia, as well as the regional state of Oromia. With an estimated population of 2,739,551 inhabitants as of the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the country and the List of cities in Africa b ...
.
History
The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office was established in 2003 under FDRE Proclamation No. 320/2003. It is responsible for maintaining intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. On 19 July 2004, Ethiopia enacted the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation No. 410/2004. It was then amended by Proclamation 872/2014. It was accepted by Council of Ministry under No. 305/2014.
To acquire rights of patent, an application is required to be filled into EIPO.
Task
The EIPO has a main objective to maintain intellectual property of Ethiopia and expanding laws and regulations. According to the Director-general Ermias Yemanebirhan, these laws have "laid the foundation of the recognition, certification, and protection of all forms of intellectual property rights".
Trademark law was enacted in 2006 under No. 501/2006 together with registration and protection No.273/2012.
Notes
External links
Ethiopian Intellectual Property Officeat the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency (ESTA)
The Intellectual Property System in Ethiopiaby Wandwossen Belete (accessed 26 October 2007)
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Government agencies of Ethiopia
Intellectual property organizations
2003 establishments in Ethiopia