How long is the trade mark registration process?
A trademark is more than just a logo or a name — it is the legal identity of your brand. From protecting fashion labels and tech startups in Lagos to securing consumer trust in London or New York, trademark registration provides enforceable rights against misuse, counterfeiting, and unfair competition.
But the registration process varies significantly across jurisdictions. Depending on whether you are filing in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, or the US, the timeline, cost, and complexity can differ widely.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the trademark registration process across Africa and major international jurisdictions. It includes step-by-step timelines, practical requirements, and comparisons to help businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors safeguard their intellectual property.
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing goods or services of one enterprise from those of others. It may consist of words, logos, slogans, colors, shapes, or even sounds.
Registering a trademark gives the owner:
- Exclusive rights to use the mark in commerce.
- The ability to license or assign the mark.
- Legal standing to sue for infringement.
- International recognition when combined with systems like WIPO’s Madrid Protocol.
Trademark Registration in Nigeria
Nigeria operates under the Trademarks Act, Cap T13 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, administered by the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Stages of Trademark Registration in Nigeria
| Stage | Process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Availability Search | 1 week |
| Phase 2 | Acknowledgment Letter (filing receipt) | 24–48 hours after filing |
| Phase 3 | Acceptance Letter (mark approved for publication) | ~2 weeks from acknowledgment |
| Phase 4 | Publication in the Trademark Journal (for opposition) | 12–18 months from acceptance |
| Phase 5 | Grant of Certificate | ~2 months from publication if no opposition |
Total Timeframe: ~18 months (but acknowledgment & acceptance letters serve as de facto protection pending certificate).
Requirements
- Name of applicant (individual/company).
- Particulars of directors/company: full names, emails, nationality, DOB/incorporation, signatures.
- Trademark representation in JPEG.
- Specification of goods/services according to the Nice Classification.
- Power of Attorney (no legalization required).
Note: Separate applications are required for each class.
Trademark Registration in Ghana
Ghana’s regime is governed by the Trademarks Act, 2004 (Act 664) and managed by the Registrar General’s Department.
Stages & Timelines
| Stage | Process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Search | 1 week |
| Step 2 | Filing & Acknowledgment | 2–3 days |
| Step 3 | Examination & Acceptance | 3–6 months |
| Step 4 | Publication in Industrial Property Journal | ~3 months |
| Step 5 | Registration Certificate | 1–2 months (if unopposed) |
Total Timeframe: ~12 months.
Requirements
- Applicant details (name, nationality, address).
- JPEG of the mark.
- Classes of goods/services.
- Power of Attorney (signed, notarization not mandatory).
Trademark Registration in Kenya
Kenya’s trademarks are governed by the Trademarks Act, Cap 506 Laws of Kenya, administered by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
Process
| Stage | Process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Search | 3–5 days |
| Step 2 | Application Filing | 1 week |
| Step 3 | Examination | 2–3 months |
| Step 4 | Publication in Industrial Property Journal | 2 months |
| Step 5 | Registration Certificate | 2–3 months |
Total Timeframe: ~6–8 months.
Kenya is also a member of ARIPO, allowing applicants to file for broader African regional protection.
Trademark Registration in South Africa
South Africa follows the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993, managed by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
Process
| Stage | Process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Filing & Formal Examination | Immediate acknowledgment |
| Step 2 | Substantive Examination | 12–18 months |
| Step 3 | Publication in Patent Journal | ~1 month |
| Step 4 | Registration Certificate | 6–12 months post-publication |
Total Timeframe: ~18–24 months.
Regional Trademark Systems in Africa
1. ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization)
Covers 22 African member states (mostly Anglophone). Applicants can file a single application designating member states.
- Examination is conducted centrally.
- Timeline: ~12–18 months.
2. OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle)
Covers 17 Francophone African countries. A single registration grants protection across all OAPI states.
- Timeline: ~12 months.
- No need for separate national filings.
International Trademark Registration
Many African businesses also register trademarks abroad for expansion, exports, or digital operations.
EU
The trade mark registration process usually takes 5-6 months from start to finish. Breaking this down:
- The examination period typically takes 1 month, provided there are no significant issues or delays.
- The opposition period lasts for 3 months, which may be extended if the opposition involves complex issues or requires additional evidence.
- The registration period typically takes 1 month.
USA
The trade mark registration process usually takes 12-18 months from start to finish. Breaking this down:
- The examination period generally takes 8-10 months, provided there are no significant issues or delays.
- The opposition period lasts for 30 days. This period may be extended by 60 days upon request.
- The registration period typically takes 2-3 months.
Australia
The trade mark registration process usually takes 7-8 months from start to finish. Breaking this down:
- The examination period usually takes 3-4 months.
- The opposition period lasts for 2 months. This period may be extended by 1 month if a request for an extension is made.
- The registration period typically takes 1 month.
Canada
The trade mark registration process usually takes 2-3 years from start to finish, and potentially even longer. Breaking this down:
- The time taken for the examination period can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the backlog at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, but is generally at least 2 years.
- The opposition period lasts for 2 months, which may be extended under certain circumstances.
- The duration of the registration period can vary significantly, ranging from several months for straightforward applications with no objections or oppositions, to several years for more complex cases.
China
The trade mark registration process usually takes 12-14 months from start to finish. Breaking this down:
- The examination period usually takes 9 months.
- The opposition period lasts for 3 months.
- The registration period typically takes 1-2 months.
WIPO (Madrid Protocol)
WIPO
The trade mark registration process varies depending on which designated countries the application is filed in.
Once an international application is filed, the national offices of the designated countries have 12 months (or 18 months in some cases) to refuse the application.
Once the application is filed, it is treated as a bundle of national registrations in the designated countries, and each country processes the application according to its own laws (and timeframes).
| Jurisdiction | Total length of registration process | Examination period | Opposition period | Registration period |
| UK | 4-5 months | 1 month | 2 months (with possible 1 month extension) | 1 month |
| EU | 5-6 months | 1 month | 3 months | 1 month |
| USA | 12-18 months | 8-10 months | 30 days (with possible 60 day extension) | 2-3 months |
| Australia | 7-8 months | 3-4 months | 2 months (with possible 1 month extension) | 1 month |
| Canada | 2-3 years | 2 years | 2 months | Several months |
| China | 12-14 months | 9 months | 3 months | 1-2 months |
Comparative Timelines
| Jurisdiction | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | 18 months |
| Ghana | 12 months |
| Kenya | 6–8 months |
| South Africa | 18–24 months |
| ARIPO | 12–18 months |
| OAPI | 12 months |
| UK | 4–5 months |
| EU | 5–6 months |
| USA | 12–18 months |
| Canada | 2–3 years |
| China | 12–14 months |
| Australia | 7–8 months |
Practical Insights
- Africa vs. International: African jurisdictions often face longer delays due to administrative backlogs. Certificates in Nigeria and South Africa take longer, but early acknowledgment/acceptance letters act as interim protection.
- Regional Systems: ARIPO and OAPI save costs for multi-country filings.
- Global Expansion: Businesses targeting exports should consider WIPO Madrid filings with key designations like EU, US, and China.
- Costs: Fees vary significantly. For example, in Nigeria: ₦125,000–₦185,000 per class; in the UK: ~£170 per class; in the US: ~$250–350 per class.
How Cardinal Counsel Can Help
At Cardinal Counsel, we provide comprehensive support for trademark protection and registration. Whether you are safeguarding your brand name, logo, or product design, our team will guide you through every stage of the process—from clearance searches and application filing to monitoring and enforcement.
If you would like to file any trademark applications, we are here to help. You can reach us at info@cardinalcounsel.co or simply use the contact form on our website.
Conclusion
Trademark registration is not one-size-fits-all. A Nigerian fashion designer exporting to the UK will face different timelines, costs, and compliance challenges compared to a South African fintech company expanding into the US.
To safeguard your brand, businesses should:
- Register early in their home country.
- Expand protection to export markets.
- Use ARIPO, OAPI, or WIPO for cost-efficient multi-country filings.
- Engage expert legal counsel to navigate objections, oppositions, and renewals.
Your brand is one of your most valuable assets — protect it strategically, locally and globally.