Ethiopia Trademark Renewal

A trademark in Ethiopia is valid for 7 years from the filing date, and it can be renewed for successive periods of 7 years.

Ethiopian law mandates the following timeline:

• Renewal must occur within 3 months after expiration of the trademark.
• A 6-month grace period follows, during which renewal is allowed with a penalty fee.
• After the grace period, the trademark is deemed lapsed and cannot be restored.

To renew your trademark in Ethiopia, you must submit:

• A Power of Attorney, duly legalized up to the Ethiopian Consulate
• A specimen of the trademark
• A printing block if the trademark is a device mark
• A scanned copy of the trademark registration certificate
• Payment of the renewal fee, and penalty if within the grace period

Renewal must be published in the Official Gazette and a local newspaper, with optional English-language publication.

• If not renewed within the grace period, the trademark lapses.
• The only recourse is to file a new application.
• Third parties can register the same mark at any time after lapse, as no exclusivity window is provided.

• Ensure the Power of Attorney is correctly legalized.
• Monitor deadlines proactively: EIPO does not notify owners of pending cancellations.
• Keep contact details up to date to facilitate Gazette publication.

Avoid these pitfalls:

• Missing the short 3-month post-expiry deadline
• Delaying the Power of Attorney legalization process
• Assuming restorations are allowed: they are not
• Not publishing the renewal properly

You may renew within 6 months of the expiry, paying a late fee. After this, the trademark lapses permanently.

No. There is no restoration process in Ethiopia. A lapsed trademark must be reapplied for, with no guarantee of approval.

No. Proof of use is not required for renewal in Ethiopia.

Update your records with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office immediately to avoid complications during renewal.