The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its intellectual property (IP) regime by acceding to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. This follows the deposit of its instrument of accession with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 15 May, 2025.
The Paris Convention, originally adopted on March 20, 1883, and most recently amended on September 28, 1979, is one of the foundational international treaties in the field of IP. It establishes the International Union for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Union) and provides critical safeguards for rights relating to patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, and geographical indications, among others.
Ethiopia’s accession to the Convention, specifically to the Stockholm Act of 1967 and the 1979 Amendment, will enter into force on 15 August, 2025, at which point Ethiopia will become a full member of the Paris Union.
One of the most important features of the Paris Convention is the right of priority, which allows applicants to file applications in other member states within a specified period (12 months for patents and utility models, and six months for trade marks and industrial designs), while benefiting from the original filing date in their home country. This facilitates the international protection of IP rights and is particularly beneficial for innovators and businesses operating across borders.
Ethiopia’s accession marks a critical advancement in its commitment to developing a modern and internationally aligned IP system. It is expected to foster greater confidence among investors, enhance opportunities for international collaboration, and support the country’s broader innovation and economic development goals.
This development also sets the stage for potential future membership in other major IP treaties administered by WIPO, such as the Madrid Protocol on the international registration of marks, to which accession to the Paris Convention is a prerequisite.
With this accession, Ethiopia joins over 170 countries in reaffirming the importance of protecting intellectual property rights as a means to promote creativity, innovation, and fair competition globally.
For more information on registration of IPRs in Ethiopia, please contact us at info@cfllegal.com
