Preface:

The trademark opposition system in Ethiopia aims to resolve trademark conflicts through legal procedures, prevent improper registration, and maintain fair competition in the market. This system is managed by the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office（EIPO）Leading, rigorous process and strong timeliness.

1、 Trademark opposition acceptance agency

Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office（EIPO）It is the only statutory authority headquartered in Addis Ababa. Its core functions include:

1. Review and Announcement:Conduct formal examination (document integrity) and substantive examination (distinctiveness, prohibited clauses) on trademark applications, and after approval**Ethiopian Intellectual Property Official Gazette**Notice.

2. Objection handling:Receive objection applications, review legal basis, organize evidence exchange and hearings, and make administrative rulings.

3. Proxy mandatory requirements:

Foreign companies or individuals must entrust a locally registered trademark agent in Ethiopia to submit objections.

Local enterprises can submit on their own, but it is recommended to entrust professional agents to cope with the complexity of the procedures.

significance:EIPOEnsuring the authority of the trademark system through centralized review often faces challenges in terms of administrative efficiency due to resource constraints.

2、 Timing of Trademark Objection

The exercise of the right of objection is subject to strict time limits and cannot be postponed

1. Announcement Launch:After the trademark is reviewed,EIPOPublish trademark details (design, category, applicant, etc.) in the official gazette.

2. Window period:From the date of announcement, the objector shall2Submit a formal objection application within one month.

3. Consequences of overdue:

No objections within the deadline: The trademark will be automatically registered and a certificate will be issued.

No objection beyond the deadline: Rights can only be claimed through invalidation procedures or judicial litigation, which significantly increases the cost and difficulty.

Key points:Enterprises need to establish a trademark monitoring mechanism and track official announcements in a timely manner (updated monthly).

3、 Basis for Trademark Objection Application

Objections must be based on Article of the Trademark Announcement501/2006The reasons are clearly stated, and common criteria include:

Burden of proof:The objector needs to submit proof of prior rights or the possibility of confusion, such as the Ethiopian trademark registration certificate, sales contract, advertising materials, etc.

4、 Trademark opposition process

The objection procedure is divided into five stages, and the entire process is carried out byEIPOSupervision:

1. Submit an objection application (Section)0-1Months)

Dissenters toEIPOSubmit an objection application, accompanied by legal basis, factual statements, and evidence, and pay the official fee (approximately)50-100US dollars).

2 EIPOFormal Review (Section)1-2Months)

EIPOReview whether the objection materials meet the format requirements, and if they are not qualified, make corrections within a specified period of time.

3. Respondent's defense (No3-5Months)

EIPODeliver the objection materials to the applicant, who needs to60Submit the defense statement and counter evidence within the day.

4. Controversy Refutation (Part 1)6-7Months)

The objector may add new evidence to the defense content, with a deadline of30Day.

5 EIPOJudgment (Section)8-24Months)

EIPOReview the materials of both parties, hold a hearing, and make a final decision:

Objection established: The trademark application is rejected and the applicant may appeal.

Objection not established: Registration is approved, and the objector may appeal to the Federal High Court.

Relief channels:The losing party may receive the award after it has been served30File an administrative lawsuit with the Federal High Court of Ethiopia within the day.

5、 Trademark opposition period

It usually takes18-30Months, specifically affected by the following factors:

1. Standard process:

Announcement period（2Months)→Defense period（2Months)→Refutation period（1Months)→ EIPOJudgment（12-24Months).

2. Extended variables:

Evidence needs to be notarized and authenticated (especially overseas documents), hearing procedures initiated, both parties applying for extension or case backlog.

3. Appeal stage:If entering into judicial proceedings, there may be additional charges2-3Year.

Practical difficulties:

1.EIPOThe review efficiency is relatively low, and the arbitration cycle is longer than in neighboring countries such as Kenya and South Africa.

2. Complex evidence authentication: Overseas documents require dual authentication (notarization) by Ethiopian embassies and consulates abroad Consular authentication).

6、 Institutional Value and Challenges

The trademark opposition system in Ethiopia ensures the certainty of trademark rights through procedural justice, but insufficient administrative resources and delayed judicial remedies remain the main bottlenecks. International enterprises need to adopt the following strategies:

1. Advance layout:Before entering the market6Submit a trademark application within one month and reserve time for opposition monitoring.

2. Localized proxyEntrust a professional law firm in Addis Ababa to handle the objection process and avoid procedural flaws.

3. Evidence reserve:Systematically preserve evidence of trademark use (such as sales invoices, advertising placement records) to address potential objections or invalid disputes.