Similar to many jurisdictions in Africa, patent registration is typically available through regional bodies like ARIPO or OAPI, as national offices often lack the expertise to grant patents.
To bolster intellectual property protection and regulations, the Intellectual Property Department within the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) in Sierra Leone has launched its first national patent registration, marking the availability of patent protection domestically. This development is a significant advancement for innovators and businesses seeking to safeguard their innovations in Sierra Leone.
Diverging from other patent systems that require a comprehensive assessment of uniqueness, inventiveness, and industrial relevance, Sierra Leone’s new approach will only conduct a “formal review.” This means that the Patent Office will scrutinize applications to ensure compliance with procedural and documentary requirements without evaluating the technical merit of the invention, akin to the “SANIi Patent” in South Africa.
This registration process skips substantive evaluations due to the absence of expert patent examiners to assess patent applications. Consequently, patents are anticipated to be registered swiftly, reducing waiting times for applicants. However, potential challenges under this system include concerns about patent quality and enforceability without substantive assessments.
Enterprises and innovators should monitor forthcoming guidelines to grasp the full scope of entitlements and enforcement mechanisms within the revised framework.
Contact us at info@prextiplaw for further information; we specialize in assisting businesses and creators in Sierra Leone in navigating the complexities of IP protection.
