尼日利亚商标注册概述

1.What can be registered as a trademark?

什么可以注册为商标？

Any mark, word, design, device, label, numerals or combinations of these which are distinctive or have acquired distinctiveness can be registered as trademark.

任何具有识别性或通过使用已获得识别性的标记、文字、设计、图形、标签，数字及其组合，都可以注册为商标。

2. What can't be registered as a trademark?

什么不能注册为商标？

a. Deceptive marks which are likely to mislead or misinform the public;

会误导公众的具有欺骗性的商标； 

b. marks which are contrary to law and morality;

违反法律或道德的商标；

c. Names of chemical substances;

化学物质名称；

d. Identical or resembling trademarks which are likely to cause confusion;

可能引起混淆的相同或相似商标；

e. The use of Nigerian coat of arms or other emblem or insignia of a governmental authority.

使用尼日利亚徽章或政府机构的其他标志或徽章。

3. What information is needed to register a trademark?

注册商标需要什么材料

a. The name and address of the applicants;

申请人名址； 

b. An image of the mark being claimed as a trademark and a description thereof;

指定商标的图样及其描述；

c. A list of goods and/or services under Nice Classification;

选定的尼斯商品/服务；

d. A Power of Attorney, no notarization or legalization is needed;

委托书（无需公证或认证）；

4. What is the general procedure for trademark registration?

商标注册的一般性程序

An acknowledgement is issued immediately once the application is filed. An acceptance letter will normally follow within 3-4 months after filing the application and after a substantive examination will be conducted by examiner.

提交申请后，随即会收到一份确认文件。通常在提交申请后的3-4个月内，通过审查员的实质审查后，会收到一份接受文件。

Next, the application will be published for a 2-month opposition. If there is no opposition within this period, an application for issuance of a certificate of registration can be made.

接下来是为期两个月的公告期。如果在此期间没有收到异议，则可以向官方提出签发注册证书的申请。

5. Can a trademark acquire distinctiveness through use?

商标是否可以通过使用而获得显著性？

A trademark can acquire distinctiveness through use.

商标可以通过使用获得显著性

6. How long on average does registration take?

商标注册平均时间？

On average, registration takes about 10-18 months from application filed to issuance of certificate of registration.

平均而言，从商标申请到签发证书约10-18个月。

7. Is there more than one route to obtain a registration in your jurisdiction?

可以通过其他途径在尼日利亚获得商标注册吗？

No. The only route to obtain a trademark registration is through the national application(Note: Nigeria is not a member of the Madrid System).

不能。商标注册的唯一途径是直接向尼日利亚官方递交申请（注意：尼日利亚不是马德里体系的成员）。

8. What are ways to overcome an absolute grounds objection?

如何克服商标的绝对理由驳回？

In the case of a claim that the mark lacks any distinctive character, such an objection maybe overcome via proof that the relevant mark has acquired secondary meaning or distinctiveness by virtue thereof and honest prior use;

针对商标缺乏显著性的情况，可以通过证明商标经长期诚信使用已具有显著性；

In the case of deceptive marks, or use of marks that are contrary to law or morality, evidence tending to show that the mark sought to be registered is in fact not deceptive, or that the laws and morals of society have changed metamorphosed over time, must be presented.

对于欺骗性商标或违反法律、道德的商标，需提供商标不具有欺骗性的证据，或证明随着时间的流逝，法律和社会道德已然改变。

9. What are the relative grounds of for refusal of registration?

相对理由驳回有哪些？

a. If the proprietor is not the actual owner;

商标权利人并非实际的所有人；

b. If the trademark was registered in bad faith;

恶意注册；

c. If the mark was fraudulently obtained;

商标是通过欺诈手段获得注册的；

d. If the trademark is identical or confusingly similar to a previously registered trademark.

商标与先前注册的商标相同或相似。

10. Are there ways to overcome a relative grounds refusal?

如何克服商标的相对理由驳回

In the case of an allegation that the applicant is not the actual owner, proof that the applicant has secured permission from the rightful owner or is an assignee or registered user thereof;

在指控申请人不是实际所有人的情况下，应证明申请人已获得合法所有人的许可，或者是其受让人或注册用户；

Evidence tending to dispel allegations of fraud or bad faith;

提供证据来消除欺诈或恶意指控的；

Acquisition or prior user rights or equivalent rights lawfully acquired.

合法取得先前在先权利人的权利或等效权利。

11. On what grounds can a trademark be opposed?

什么情况下会收到异议？

a. The trademark is confusingly similar or identical to a previously registered trademark or a famous mark;

商标与先前注册的商标或驰名商标相同或相似；

b. The applicant has no intention to use the mark;

商标申请人无使用意向；

c. The trademark contains geographical names.

商标含有地理名称。

12. What is the procedure of opposition?

 异议程序是怎样的？

The procedure entails the issuance of a Notice of Opposition by the opponent enumerating the basis for the objection to registration. The applicant has one month to file a counter-statement indicating the grounds upon which it relies for its application. An application will be deemed abandoned if an applicant fails to file a counter-statement within the limited time frame.

异议人先提交反对文件，列举反对注册的依据。申请人有一个月的时间提出抗辩声明，说明其提出申请所依据的理由。 如果申请人未能在限定的时间内提出抗辩声明，则该申请将被视为放弃。

Where the applicant files a counter-statement, the Register shall send a copy of it to opponent and then the parties can exchange statutory declarations in the form of evidence. If no additional evidence is submitted, the register shall subsequently give notice of hearing and the matter shall be decided based on the exchanged documentary evidence.

申请人提交抗辩声明的，商标局应将文件下发给异议人，然后当事各方可以以证据形式交换法定声明。如果未提交其他证据，则官方应随后发出听证会通知，并应根据交换的书面证据作出裁定。

13. What happens when a trademark is granted registration?

商标是如何被予以注册的？

Once a trademark application remains unopposed within the 2-month statutory period, the Register shall issue the applicant with a certificate of registration upon payment of fees.

若2个月的公告期间未收到异议，商标局应在申请人支付费用后向申请人颁发注册证书。

14. What is the term of a trademark? How about Renewal?

商标有效期多久？关于续展？

The mark is valid for 7 years from the filing date of the application but can be renewed thereafter for 14 years periods. An application of trademark renewal maybe filed not more than 3 months before the expiration of the registration.

自商标申请日起算，商标首次有效期为7年，商标从第二次续展起有效期为14年。商标一般自有效期截止前3个月开始续展。