Trademark Protection in Ethiopia Vis-a-vis TRIPs: A Closer Look to the Requirements of Protection & Exclusive Rights of the Owner

Abstract

Although the contribution and share of intellectual property rights to the country‘s economic growth is not paramount as of today, the Ethiopian Trade mark system has established a protection of Trade mark up on enacting trade mark proclamation. Similarly, as Ethiopia is on the move of to Acceding to World Trade Organization (WTO), the compatibility of Trade mark Proclamation with the TRIPs system is crucial.Therefore, this writing will scrutinize the system of trade mark protection in Ethiopia in line with TRIPs agreement and argues that despite there are some points which need consideration,  the Ethiopian trademark proclamation is compatible and there are even TRIPS plus provisions in it which thereby the negotiating team of the country has nothing to worry on its accession to WTO as far as Trade mark Proclamation is concerned.

Keywords: TRIPS, Paris Convention, Well Known Mark, WTO

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/90-01

Publication date:October 31^st 2019