Trademark registration in Zimbabwe

The trademark office and official links

Trademarks in Zimbabwe are registered by the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (Registrar of Trade Marks) (ZIPO).

• Trademark office: Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (Registrar of Trade Marks) (ZIPO)
• Law: Trade Marks Act, Chapter 26:04 (amended up to Act No. 3 of 2016)
• Law: Zimbabwe Trade Mark Regulations, 2005
• Law: Statutory Instrument 153 of 2010 (commencement of the Trade Marks Amendment Act, 2001)

Official fees in Zimbabwe

The office does not publish an up-to-date fee schedule we could verify. Ask firms that cover Zimbabwe for a quote that shows official and professional fees separately — post a request or compare packages.

How to register a trademark in Zimbabwe

1. Search the Register for earlier conflicting marks.
2. File a separate application for each class with the Registrar of Trade Marks, appointing an agent by written authority (form T.M. 43) if one is used.
3. The Registrar examines the application for registration in Part A (distinctive marks) or Part B (marks capable of distinguishing).
4. After acceptance, the application is advertised in the Patents and Trade Marks Journal.
5. Third parties may oppose within two months of the advertisement.
6. If unopposed, the mark is registered with effect from the application date and a certificate is issued.

Examination, publication and opposition

• Examination: The Registrar of Trade Marks examines applications; no official processing time is stated.
• Publication: Patents and Trade Marks Journal
• Opposition period: 2 months from advertisement in the Journal

Protection, renewal and use

• Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
• Late renewal: 6 months for late payment of the renewal fee; a removed mark can be restored within 3 years of removal in certain circumstances
• Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
• Rights system: first to file.

Filing from abroad

• Local agent: Applicants who do not reside or carry on business in Zimbabwe must give an address for service in Zimbabwe when required by the Registrar; renewals for proprietors outside Zimbabwe must be filed by an agent.
• Power of attorney: An agent is appointed by filing a written authority on form T.M. 43 or another written form the Registrar accepts; notarisation is not required by the Regulations.

Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Zimbabwe can act as your local agent — see firms.

Madrid Protocol

Zimbabwe is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 2015). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.

Trademark classes

Nice Classification (classes set out in the Third Schedule to the Regulations). Each application covers one class, so file one application per class. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.

How Zimbabwe compares

• Opposition: 2 months from advertisement in the Journal — compare all countries
• Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months for late payment of the renewal fee; a removed mark can be restored within 3 years of removal in certain circumstances — compare all countries
• Foreign owners: local address needed — rules in every country

Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid

Good to know in Zimbabwe

• Each application may cover only one class; separate applications are needed for additional classes.
• The Register has four parts: Part A (distinctive marks), Part B (marks capable of distinguishing), Part C (certification marks) and Part D (defensive marks for well-known marks).
• A Part A registration becomes conclusive as to validity after five years, except in cases of fraud.
• The Trade Marks Act contains provisions on both the Madrid Protocol and the Banjul Protocol (ARIPO regional marks).

Questions