Hamburger
  • Intellectual property framework

    Overview

    Intellectual property is a right protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Angola. The fundamental intellectual property framework in Angola is provided in 2 main acts: the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights and the Industrial Property Law.

  • Commercial contract framework

    Overview

    Angolan law lays down a general principle of contractual freedom, which means that parties are mostly free to establish the terms and conditions to be observed by the contracts they enter into (exceptions are made to mandatory rules legally imposed which will depend on the specific contractual relationship) and are entitled to enter into contracts provided for in the law, but also into contracts that are not provided for in the law.

    Angolan law does not establish a unitary act or set of rules applicable to all commercial contracts. Depending on the specific contractual relationship, commercial contracts may be subject to the provisions of the Civil Code, Commercial Code, Copyright and Related Rights Law, and the Industrial Property Law as well as other specific legislation.

    The aforementioned set of rules changes according to the specific contract in question.

  • Copyrights

    Nature of right

    Copyright covers original literary, scientific and artistic intellectual creations, or works. Registration is not required for the acquisition or maintenance of copyright rights; however, there are certain specific copyright-related acts subject to registration in order to be valid.

    In Angola, copyright comprises economic and moral rights.

    In the scope of economic rights, copyright owners have the exclusive right to use, enjoy and dispose of their work, or to authorize the use of the work, wholly or in part, by third parties.

    Moral rights consist in the right to claim authorship of the work, as well as the right to ensure its genuineness and integrity.

    Legal framework

    Copyrights are governed by Law No. 15/14 of July 31, which introduced the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights.

    Duration of right

    As general rule, moral copyrights are unlimited in time and, therefore, are inalienable and imprescriptible. With respect to economic copyrights, copyright protection lasts for a term of 70 years, counted as of January 1 of the first year after the death of the author, as well as through the life of the author.

    In the case of works in collaboration, copyright expires 70 years after the death of the last surviving author. As per collective works or works originally assigned to a corporate person, copyright expires 70 years from the date of the first licit publication or disclosure, except if the individuals who create it were identified in the version of the work available to the public.

    For an anonymous work, or work that was legally published or disclosed without identifying the respective author, protection is for 70 years after publication or disclosure.

    Please note that, with respect to applied arts and photographic works, economic copyrights protection lasts for a term of 45 years, counted as of January 1 of the first year after the death of the author.

    Economic copyrights related to a broadcaster last up to 35th calendar year after the broadcast.

    Ownership / licenses

    Moral rights are inalienable.

    The copyright owner, as well as their successors or assignees, may authorize the use of the work by third parties or assign economic rights, wholly or partially.

    Granting an authorization to third parties in order for them to divulge, publish, use or explore the work does not imply the transfer of copyright rights.

    Authorization shall only be granted in writing, mandatorily including the parties involved, the title and type of the work, the rights concerned, the duration, place and price conditions.

    Please note that the assigns are only effective against third parties when registered.

    Remedies for infringement

    The copyright owner may request payment of compensation by the agent for damages and losses to repair the damage suffered as a result the infringement, as well as payment of expenses caused by that infringement, which may include legal expenses.

    The amount of the compensation is determined in accordance with the civil liability regime provided for by the Angolan Civil Code, taking into account the amount of material and moral damage suffered by the copyright owner, as well as the profit obtained by the offender.

    When it is proven that the infringing copies affect a right, the Court may order, ensuring that the penalty is proportionate to the seriousness of the offense and taking into account the legitimate interests of third parties, the destruction of those copies and their packaging or their elimination of trade channels by any other reasonable means, without compensation of any kind, in order to avoid any damage to the copyright owner.

  • Mask works / topographies

    Nature of right

    Mask works and topographies are not separately protected under Angolan law. They may be protected under patent law or by way of confidentiality.

    Legal framework

    Angolan has enacted no specific rules on protection of mask works or topographies. Although Angola is part of the WTO and has approved the TRIPS Agreement, it has not yet implemented any rules on mask works or topographies protection.

    Semiconductor technology, generally, and topographies, in particular, may be protected under the traditional intellectual property rules applicable to all types of technology, particularly patent law and the rules on confidential information. Therefore, matters such as the duration of the relevant rights, ownership and remedies depend on the type of protection used in connection with each specific mask work or topography.

    Duration of right

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Ownership / licenses

     Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Remedies for infringement

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Patents

    Nature of right

    Patent rights cover new inventions, in all fields of technology, provided that they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

    An invention shall be considered new if it does not form part of the state of the art, which comprises everything, inside or outside the country, made available to the public by means of a written or oral description, by use, or in any other way, before the date of filling of the patent application.

    An invention shall be considered involving an inventive step if it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art.

    An invention shall be considered susceptible of industrial application if it can be made or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture, fishing and handicraft.

    A national patent confers on its owner the exclusive right to exploit the patented invention in Angolan territory.

    Legal framework

    Patents are governed by the following:

    • Chapter II, the Industrial Property Law (Articles 2 to 14)
    • Membership of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), approved by Resolution No. 9/84 of July 20
    • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property – approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19
    • Cooperation Treaty patent (PCT) approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19 and
    • Membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hence the TRIPS Agreement (Accession November 23, 1996).

    Duration of right

    Patent protection is granted up to a maximum period of 15 years from the date of filling of the patent application.

    Ownership / licenses

    Patents can be transferred in writing, by means of public deed, whether or not for financial reward.

    Patents may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses shall be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including patent rights, the court may, at request of the interested party, order the appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Infringement of the exclusive right granted by a patent may be also punishable as crime with imprisonment up to 6 months or a fine.

  • Trademarks

    Nature of right

    A trademark is a sign that distinguishes a company's goods or services, from the goods and services provided by other companies. There are 3 types of trademarks, namely:

    • Nominative: when constituted by letter(s) or word(s)
    • Figurative: consisting of figures or images and
    • Mixed: when it includes a combination of figures and words or letters in its constitution.

    The registered trademark confers to the owner, the right to prevent third parties that do not have their consent from using in the course of trade any sign which is identical or similar to the trademark in relation to goods and/or services which are identical or similar to those for which the trademark is registered.

    Legal framework

    Trademarks are governed by the following:

    • Chapter II, the Industrial Property Law (Articles 29 to 40)
    • Membership of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), approved by Resolution No. 9/84 of July 20
    • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property – approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19 and
    • Membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hence the TRIPS Agreement (Accession November 23, 1996).

    Angola is not a party to either the Madrid Agreement or the Madrid Protocol. As such, International Registrations (IRs) cannot be extended to Angola. Angola's accession to the Madrid Agreement and/or the Madrid Protocol is currently the subject of consultation, but the position is unlikely to change for a number of years to come.

    Duration of right

    National trademark registrations remain valid for 10 years starting from the date of filing of the application and may be indefinitely renewed for equal periods.

    Ownership / licenses

    Trademarks can be transferred in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward. A transfer of the whole of the undertaking shall include the transfer of the trademark except where there is agreement to the contrary or circumstances clearly dictate otherwise.

    Trademarks may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including trademarks, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Trademark infringement is punishable as crime with imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine.

  • Trade secrets

    Nature of right

    Trade secrets are not protected as property in Angola. However, the Angolan Industrial Property Law, in the chapter related to Crimes of Unfair Competition, characterizes as crimes certain conducts involving the unauthorized use of trade secrets. As a result, there is legal protection against the violation of trade secrets.

    Legal framework

    Trade secrets are addressed in article 73 of the Angolan Industrial Property Law.

    Duration of right

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Ownership / licenses

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Remedies for infringement

    Remedies available for infringement of trade secrets can include criminal remedies (imprisonment and monetary fine) and civil remedies (injunction to prevent the continuation of infringements and damages).

    Trade secret violation is punishable with a fine, if a more serious sanction does not apply by applying the provisions of the penal code and Law No. 9/89 (Law on Crimes Against the Economy).

  • Other key IP rights

    Nature of right

    Design

    Industrial design means any new arrangement or set of lines or colors that, for industrial or commercial purposes, can be applied to the ornamentation of a product by any manual, mechanical, chemical, simple or combined process.

    The registered design confers to the owner the right to prevent third parties that do not have their consent from using it. The aforementioned use shall cover, in particular, the making, offering, putting on the market, importing, exporting or using of a product in which the design is incorporated or to which it is applied, or stocking such a product for those purposes.

    Industrial designs

    Industrial designs

    Legal framework

    Design

    Designs are governed by Chapter III of the Industrial Property Law (Articles 15 to 28).

    Duration of right

    Design

    Designs registrations remain valid for 5 years starting from the date of filing of the application and may be renewed for 2 consecutive times of 5 years each.

    Ownership / licenses

    Design

    Designs may be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Design

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including designs, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Infringement of the exclusive right granted by a registered design may be punishable with a fine.

  • Intellectual property in employment context

    Employees

    As a general rule, the copyright over a work made under a labor agreement or in compliance with functional obligations is determined by agreement between the parties. In case no agreement exists, it is presumed that the ownership over the work belongs to the respective intellectual creator. In cases where there is a service provision contract, the property rights over the work are transferred to the contractor or entity represented by it.

    The right to patent shall belong to the inventor or their successors in title. Notwithstanding, if an invention was made during the performance of an employment contract in which inventive activity is provided for, the right to the patent belongs to the employer.

    Consultants / contractors

    In principle, consultants and contractors will retain ownership of the intellectual property developed by them, unless otherwise agreed by the parties or provided for in the law.

  • Key commercial contract considerations

    Registration of commercial agreements

    There are no general registration requirements for commercial contracts under Angolan law; however, certain exceptions may arise. Furthermore, Industrial Property Rights licenses are subject to registration within the Angolan Industrial Property Institute (IAPI) in order to be enforceable against third parties.

    Recognized language of commercial agreements

    There are no general requirements under Angolan law that provide that contracts must be written in Portuguese. However, in certain cases – for instance, contracts with consumers – the Portuguese language is mandatory, and, if the contract is to be used in specific situations – for example, for purposes of evidence in court or used with public authorities – translation to Portuguese is required.

    Country-specific issues for online content

    Electronic contracts are regulated under Presidential Decree No. 202/11 of July 22.

    Enforceability of online/clickwrap/shrinkwrap terms

    Contracts may be concluded electronically, provided that it does not affect its validity or effectiveness due to the use of this medium. Please note that general contractual clauses requiring electronic conclusion of consumer contracts are prohibited.

    The provider shall make available to the recipients, before the conclusion, unambiguous minimum information including (i) the contract conclusion process, (ii) whether or not the contract is stored by the service provider and accessibility by the recipient, (iii) the language or languages in which the contract may be concluded, (iv) the technical means which the provider makes available so that errors of introduction which may be contained in the order form may be identified and corrected, (v) the contractual terms and general clauses of the contract to be concluded, (vi) the codes of conduct subscribed and information on how to consult them electronically  and (vii) the effective technical means which allows the recipient to identify and correct inserted errors.

    Governing law

    The interpretation and enforceability of contracts is a matter of governing law. The choice of law by the parties is accepted as a general principle, except when otherwise provided for by law; please, however, note that, in certain cases, there are rules of mandatory application – for instance, in the scope of contracts concluded with consumers.

  • Key commercial contract terms

    Enforceability of warranty disclaimers

    This will depend on the specific warranty. Notwithstanding, the law may provide some restrictions on the enforceability of warranty disclaimers (eg, for reasons of consumer protection).

    Enforceability of exclusions/limitations of liability indemnification

    As general rule, the enforceability of exclusions or limitation of liability is limited under Angolan law. According to civil law, limitation of liability or exclusion of liability concerns the grounds of liability itself and the damages and losses. The law is not absolutely clear when dealing with the matter; therefore, some hold the opinion that the law does not prevent clauses limiting or excluding liability for acts of mere negligence, while others suggest that all clauses of exclusion or limitation are completely null and void.

    Indemnification

    Indemnification clauses in contracts are, in principle, enforceable, but may be subject to restrictions provided for in the law. It is relatively common to stipulate in commercial agreements that the indemnifying party will indemnify and hold harmless the other party against claims of third parties related to the subject matter of the agreement.

    Electronic signatures

    According to Angolan law, a qualified electronic signature is equivalent to an autographic signature in paper documents. An electronic document shall only be deemed to be signed for purposes of evidence where it meets the requirements set by the law on electronic signature and certification.

  • Key contacts
    Murillo Costa Sanches
    Murillo Costa Sanches
    Of Counsel DLA Piper [email protected] T +351 213 583 659 View bio
    Joni Garcia
    Joni Garcia
    Associate DLA Piper ADCA Angola [email protected] T +244 926 612 525

Trademarks

Ownership / licenses

Angola

Trademarks can be transferred in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward. A transfer of the whole of the undertaking shall include the transfer of the trademark except where there is agreement to the contrary or circumstances clearly dictate otherwise.

Trademarks may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

Argentina

Ownership is acquired by means of registration. However, use of unregistered trademarks may result in certain rights for the user.

Trademarks may be subject to joint ownership. The Trademark Law and the Civil and Commercial Code provide the rules applicable to these joint ownership relationships.

Trademark licenses are possible. They are valid even if they are not registered with the trademark office.

Australia

A trademark registration grants exclusive rights in the trademark to use, license or sell the trademark within Australia for the goods and services for which it is registered. This means the owner of a registered trademark may prevent others from using the mark or a deceptively similar mark in relation to the same or similar goods or services.

Licenses concerning registered trademarks do not need to be recorded to be effective, and there is no specific provision allowing recordal on the Trade Marks Office Register. However, it is important for trademark owners to be able to demonstrate that they are exercising financial and/or quality control over the use of their trademarks in any licensing arrangement to ensure that it does not become vulnerable to removal for non-use.

The owner of a registered trademark may assign the registered trademark to another person. The assignment may be partial so that it applies to only some of the goods and/or services in respect of which the trademark is registered. However, the assignment may not be partial in relation to the use of a trademark in a geographical area. Further, the assignment may be with or without the goodwill of the business concerned in the relevant goods and/or services.

With respect to unregistered trademarks, although capable of being assigned or licensed, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia reconfirmed in April 2020 that it is not possible to assign or license unregistered trademarks without the assignment of the underlying goodwill of the business.

Austria

Trademark owners may grant licenses. A license may, but does not need to, be recorded in the trademark register.

Belgium

The exclusive rights conferred by a trademark are acquired by virtue of registration to the registration holder. Thus, no protection to trademark owners is guaranteed without registration, unless such unregistered trademarks are well known. There are no specific provisions in Belgian law with respect to co-ownership of trademarks.

Independent of the transfer of all or part of a business, a trademark may be transferred with respect to all or some of the goods or services for which the trademark was filed or registered. A trademark may also be the subject of a license for all or some of the goods or services in respect of which the trademark was filed or registered.

Brazil

Ownership of a trademark is obtained when its registration is validly granted. The owner has the exclusive right to use the trademark in Brazil and internationally, as of the accession of Brazil to the Madrid Protocol, and to assign the rights of the trademark or license its use.

Trademark registrations or applications may be assigned or licensed provided the assignee fulfills the legal requirements to be the owner of the registration or application.

This nation requires recordation of license agreements for them to be effective against 3rd parties. Also, the recordation has always been required to (i) authorize remittance of payments of royalties abroad, observing the applicable laws and regulations on taxation and foreign exchange; and (ii) permit tax deduction by the licensee of amounts paid in royalties, as per applicable tax laws and regulations. However, Federal Law No. 14,596 of 06/14/2023, which introduced the new transfer pricing rules, with effect on January 1, 2024, put an end to the current deductibility limits for passive royalties and the need to register contracts with the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (Brazilian PTO) for tax deductibility purposes. Furthermore, Central Bank BCB Resolution No. 278 of 12/31/2022, which regulates Law No. 14,286 of 12/29/2021, abolished the need to register royalty contracts with BACEN (and, consequently, with the Brazilian PTO) for the remittance of royalties abroad.

Canada

Trademarks, whether registered or unregistered, can be assigned or licensed. There is no requirement for licenses to be registered.

Owners granting licenses to trademarks must include appropriate quality control language in order to preserve the distinctiveness of the mark and avoid its possible loss. If trademark use is licensed, and public notice is given of the license and of the identity of the trademark owner, then the Trademarks Act provides a rebuttable presumption that the trademark owner has control over the character and quality of the goods or services to which the trademark attaches.

Chile

The law does not provide for specific rules on the granting of a license for trademarks. However, the exclusive right of the holder to use and monetize their product includes the right to license these rights.

China

A trademark license agreement must be recorded with the China National Intellectual Property Administration. There are some clauses that must be included in trademark licenses, such as those in respect of quality control and indication of licensee's name and the place of origin.

Colombia

The ownership of the trademarks and its corresponding rights come into existence upon registration before the Superintendency of Industry and Trade.

The owner of a trademark that is duly registered may transfer the registry of trademark or grant a license over the same. Transfers and licenses must be in writing. Furthermore, for a transfer or exclusive license to be enforceable, it must be registered before the Superintendency of Industry and Trade.

Czech Republic

Joint ownership is permissible; license cannot be granted by one joint owner without consent of the other joint owner(s). The relationship between the co-owners can be amended by an agreement.

Denmark

The trademark right belongs to that person or company who applied for the trademark or obtained the trademark through use.

Owners may grant an exclusive or non-exclusive license to a registered mark for some or all the goods or services for which it is registered and for the whole country or parts of it.

On request from the trademark owner or the licensee, licenses may be registered in the Danish trademark registry or in the European Union Intellectual Property Office EUIPO's register over EUTMs. However, registration of licenses regarding Danish trademarks is not compulsory and does not affect their validity (registration is necessary in relation to EUTMs).

Finland

Any natural or legal person can register a trademark. The registration owner has the exclusive right to use, transfer or license the trademark.

France

A trademark owner is free to transfer or license any and all of its rights under the trademark to a 3rd party.

Joint ownership is possible.

A trademark may be used as a security (eg, mortgage).

Germany

Ownership can be transferred by contractual agreement. Joint ownership is possible. A transfer of ownership does generally not affect licenses that were granted before the transfer.

Licenses may be granted on an exclusive or a non-exclusive basis as well as to multiple parties. In joint ownership situations, licenses may generally only be granted with the consent of the other co-owners. Licenses may be granted for a certain part of the registered goods or services or, in case of Union Trademarks, parts of the protected territory only. Licenses do not have to be registered.

Hong Kong, SAR

Joint ownership is permissible. Subject to agreement to the contrary, each co-owner is entitled to an equal, undivided share in the trademark and is entitled to exploit the trademark for their own benefit. A license can only be granted with the consent of all co-owners. A license, which may be general or limited, is not effective unless it is in writing and is signed by or on behalf of the grantor.

Hungary

Any and all legal or natural persons are entitled to obtain trademark protection irrespective of whether they carry out business activity. It is also possible to obtain trademark protection jointly.

In case more persons apply for the application of a trademark jointly, the trademark protection belongs to them – unless otherwise indicated – in equal proportions.

In case more persons are entitled to a trademark, they are entitled to dispose over their portion individually. Co-owners are entitled to pre-emption rights regarding the portion of another party towards third persons.

India

A registered trademark may be assigned or transferred, with or without the goodwill of the business concerned, and, in respect, either of some or all the goods or services with regard to which the trademark is registered.

Associated trademarks may only be assigned or transmitted as a whole.

Indonesia

Trademark law acknowledges the priority right as long the applicant has filled the trademark application in the country which is a member of Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property or Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. The holder of the trademark may grant a license permitting a 3rd party to use the mark under a license agreement. The law stipulates that all licenses granted by the holder of the trademark must be recorded in the General Register of Marks and published in the Official Gazette of Marks.

A trademark license agreement must be duly recorded, and the application for recording can be made electronically or in paper format. Recording is valid for a duration of 5 years and can be renewed. Minister Regulation No. 8 requires a copy of the trademark license agreement, copy of the trademark registration certificate, original power of attorney and proof of payment to be submitted. The applicant is also required to provide a statement letter stating that the object of the license agreement is still valid, shall not cause any losses to the national economy, shall not inhibit the development of technology and is not in conflict with the laws and regulations, morality and public order.

Ireland

Joint ownership of trademarks is permitted. It is possible to license trademarks on either an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

There are some recordal requirements in relation to assignments, licenses and certain other instruments affecting registered trademarks under Irish trademark law.

Israel

The ownership of a trademark is determined by the identity of the registrant with the Israeli Trademarks Office.

For a license to be binding, it must be recorded with the Israeli Trademarks Office. Sub-licenses are not mentioned in the Trade Marks Ordinance [New Version] 1972, but the Israeli Trademarks Office has indicated that sub-licenses can also be registered.

Italy

Anyone, being a natural person or a legal entity, who uses or proposes to use a trademark for products and services, can obtain the registration of a trademark (non-use of the trademark within 5 years from the date of registration can cause the trademark to lapse).

The trademark can be transferred without the company or without a branch thereof, provided that no deception is caused to the consumer; trademarks can be the object of a license (including non-exclusive licenses) for all or part of the products or services for which it was registered.

Japan

Exclusive and non-exclusive licenses and transfers of trademark are recognized.

Joint ownership is permissible. Exclusive or non-exclusive licensing of the trademark, transferring or establishing pledge on the share of the trademark requires consent from all joint owners of the trademark.

Luxembourg

The exclusive rights encompassed by a trademark are obtained by registration. An application for registration may be filed by anyone (eg, private persons, public authorities or companies) and does not need to be filed by the enterprise that will commercialize the trademark.

No protection to trademark owners is guaranteed without registration unless such unregistered trademarks are well known.

No specific provisions are foreseen in Luxembourg law with respect to co-ownership of trademarks.

Independently of the transfer or all or part of a business, a trademark may be transferred for all of some of the goods or services for which the trademark was filed or registered. A trademark may also be the object of a license for all or some of the goods or services for which the trademark was filed or registered.

Mexico

In order to establish ownership of  the title, registration of the trademark is required before the IMPI.

Trademark registrations and registrations in process may be encumbered, transmitted or licensed pursuant to commercial general provisions. Registration of the agreement is required before the IMPI to perfect encumbrance, transmission or license.

Netherlands

The exclusive rights conferred by a trademark are acquired by virtue of registration to the registration holder. Thus, no protection to trademark owners is guaranteed without registration, unless such unregistered trademarks are well known to the public. However, if the owner of an unregistered trademark is confronted with the registration by a 3rd party of a similar sign for similar goods or services, they can apply for the revocation of the registration on grounds of bad faith if the applicant had knowledge of the previous use.

No specific provisions are in the laws of the Netherlands with respect to co-ownership of trademarks. However, it is generally understood that the exercise of the right of co-ownership of trademarks is governed by the rules regarding community, which is regulated in the Dutch Civil Code.

Independently of the transfer of all or part of a business, a trademark may be transferred in respect of all or some of the goods or services for which the trademark was filed or registered. A trademark may also be the subject of a license for all or some of the goods or services in respect of which the trademark was filed or registered as well as for a specific territory. To be valid against 3rd parties, the license must be recorded in the register. However, if a license has been recorded, registration of the trademark may be surrendered only at the joint request of the holder of the trademark and the licensee. The same applies for cancellation of the license in the register.

New Zealand

Trade mark owners can assign or license their trade mark rights. It is advisable to include appropriate quality control language when licensing a trade mark in order to avoid dilution (or loss) of the mark and to preserve the mark's reputation, although licenses are not required to be written.

Nigeria

A registered trademark is assignable and transmissible either in connection with the goodwill of a business or not.

Norway

Any natural or legal person can apply for and own a trademark or obtain a trademark through use.

The owner of the trademark has the exclusive right to use, transfer or license the trademark.

Peru

In order to perfect the title, registration of the trademark is required before the National Trademark Office.
 
Trademark registrations and registrations in process may be transmitted or licensed. Registration of the transfer agreement is required before the National Trademark Office to perfect transmission; nevertheless, registration of licenses is not necessary.

Philippines

Owners granting licenses to trademarks must include appropriate quality control language in order to preserve and avoid dilution (or loss) of the mark.

Any license contract concerning the registration of a mark, or an application for registration, shall provide for effective control by the licensor of the quality of the goods or services of the licensee in connection with which the mark is used. If the license contract does not provide for such quality control, or if such quality control is not effectively carried out, the license contract shall not be valid.

The IPC further requires the recordal of a license contract (in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines). A license contract shall have no effect against third parties until such recording is completed.

Poland

Under Polish law, there are 3 types of joint trademark ownership:

  • Simple joint ownership by several commercial entities (such use must not create confusion for the public)
  • A collective trademark (registered in the name of an organization and its affiliated companies)
  • Certification trademark (registered in the name of organization that may grant the right to trademark use to entities that meet established requirements)

For all types of trademark ownership, the rules of trademark use should be filed with the trademark application.

A trademark owner may transfer or license the ownership rights. This must be done in writing otherwise it will be null and void.

Licenses may be granted on an exclusive and non-exclusive basis. However, only the holder of an exclusive license (which has to be recorded in the trademark register- this applies in the case of Polish trademarks) may pursue claims for the infringement of the trademark, unless the license agreement provides otherwise. A licensee may grant a further license only upon the consent of the licensor (further sublicensing is prohibited). A license that does not limit the scope of trademark use is regarded as a license granting full rights as exercised by the trademark owner.

Portugal

Trademarks can be transferred in writing, wholly or partially, whether for financial reward or not.

Trademarks may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether for financial reward or not, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against 3rd parties.

Romania

Owners may grant licenses to 3rd parties, but there are no statutory requirements regarding specific clauses referring to appropriate quality-control language in order to preserve and avoid dilution, or loss, of the mark.

Russia

A trademark can be transferred to a third party (legal entity or individual entrepreneur) by way of trademark assignment. A trademark can be the object of a license, including non-exclusive licenses, for all or part of the goods or services for which it was registered. The transfer of rights under both trademark assignment and licenses must be registered with the Rospatent.

Saudi Arabia

A trademark may be sold or licensed to a third party by the registered owner, in accordance with the requirements of the GCC Trademark Law.

Singapore

The owner of a trade mark may authorize others to use their trade mark by way of license or assignment. The licensing or assignment may be granted for all or only some of the goods or services covered by trade mark registration or application.

Slovak Republic

The owner is a legal or natural person registered in the trademark register of the Industrial Property Office. The joint ownership of a trademark is allowed and governed by the Civil Code and the Act on Trademarks.

The trademark owner has the exclusive right to use the trademark in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered. The owner is entitled to use the sign ® together with the trademark. The owner may grant another person a license to their trademark. A license shall have legal effects towards 3rd parties upon registration in the register of the Industrial Property Office.

South Korea

Joint ownership of trademarks is recognized. Both exclusive and non-exclusive licenses are available.

Spain

The registration of a trademark confers on its owner the exclusive right to use it in economic transactions.

Both an application and a trademark may be licensed for all or some of the goods and services for which the trademark is registered and for all or part of Spanish territory. The licenses may be exclusive or non-exclusive.

Sweden

Any natural or legal person can apply for and own a trademark.

The owner has the exclusive right to use or permit others to use the trademark.

Licenses may be registered in the Swedish trademark registry or in the European trademark office EUIPO's register over European Union trademarks. However, registration of licenses is not compulsory and does not affect their validity.

Switzerland

Co-ownership as well as collective trademarks are possible (marks for collective associations). Licenses for collective marks must be registered.

Taiwan, China

License may be granted by the trademark owner for all or some of the designated goods or services or for a particular territory.

In case of joint ownership of a trademark, any single owner is not entitled to assign, license or pledge their own share of such trademark without the unanimous consent of all joint owners. If a joint owner of the trademark abandons their share, the abandoned share shall be allocated to the other joint owners according to the percentage of their respective shares within the joint ownership.

Ukraine

The exclusive rights with respect to a trademark may be subject to joint ownership. Relations between co-owners are regulated by an agreement between them. When there is no such agreement, each co-owner may use the trademark at its own discretion, however, all co-owners must consent to the grant of the license to the co-owned trademark.

The rights holders may grant or assign their rights to other parties through a license or an assignment agreement, which should be in writing.

The assignment of patent rights is subject to a mandatory registration with the Ukrainian IP Office.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE operates a mono-class system which means that a separate application must be filed for each trademark in each class of goods or services. The UAE follows the 10th Edition of the Nice Classification of Goods and Services. Applications for Class 33 are not accepted.

As a contracting party of the Paris Convention, the UAE is bound to follow the minimum standards that it sets. As such, in the UAE, a trademark owner has the right to claim priority from an earlier filed application. The priority period is six months from the filing date of the first application.

Article 17 Trademark Law grants trademark owners a higher level of protection of their rights when the following conditions have been satisfied:

  • The owner has used the mark continuously for no less than five years from the date of registration
  • No decision has been issued in which it is decided that the registered owner is not the owner of the mark

The protection that is granted is that no dispute may be raised against the ownership of the mark.

The court can make an order for the cancellation of a mark for non-use. The party/ies must prove that the mark has not been used for five consecutive years. Use of the trademark by a licensee is deemed to be “use” for the purposes of disproving a non-use claim.

Trademarks may be licensed in the UAE and any user of the trademark should be recorded as such at the Ministry of Economy. For recordal purposes, licenses must be made pursuant to a written and legalized contract. This means that the contract must be witnessed by a notary public. If the contract is made in the UAE it must be witnessed by a UAE notary. Licenses exercised outside of the UAE must be legalized up to the UAE embassy in that country and then stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. If the license is not in Arabic it must be translated either by a UAE licensed translator or a foreign translator and legalized up to the UAE embassy before it can be used for official purpose in the UAE.

The term of the license must not exceed the term of the registration. All licenses are non-exclusive unless expressed to be otherwise.

United Kingdom

The UK registry (UKIPO) has a first-to-file system, though the registration may be refused or revoked if it conflicts with prior rights including unregistered rights.

There are certain advantages to be obtained from registering assignments (or assignations in Scotland) and licenses (eg, binding 3rd-party acquirers of the mark), but there is no strict requirement to do so.

When granting licenses, it is generally advisable to include quality control provisions to preserve the mark's reputation and distinctiveness, and controls on sublicensing.

United States

Owners granting licenses to trademarks must include appropriate quality control language in order to preserve and avoid dilution – or loss – of the mark.