The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) is an autonomous unit of the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency. It was established in 2003 to provide legal protection for Intellectual property (IP) rights.Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office Establishment Proclamation (Proc. No. 320/2003) dated April, 2003 It is based in Addis Ababa.
History The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office was established in 2003 under FDRE Proclamation No. 320/2003. It is responsible for maintaining intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. On 19 July 2004, Ethiopia enacted the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation No. 410/2004. It was then amended by Proclamation 872/2014. It was accepted by Council of Ministry under No. 305/2014.
To acquire rights of patent, an application is required to be filled into EIPO.
Task The EIPO has a main objective to maintain intellectual property of Ethiopia and expanding laws and regulations. According to the Director-general Ermias Yemanebirhan, these laws have "laid the foundation of the recognition, certification, and protection of all forms of intellectual property rights".
Trademark law was enacted in 2006 under No. 501/2006 together with registration and protection No.273/2012.
Notes
External links at the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency (ESTA) The Intellectual Property System in Ethiopia by Wandwossen Belete (accessed 26 October 2007)