Trademark protection arises through
Table: 
TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Cross-Border Trademark Guide
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Kenya Cross-Border Trademark Guide Guide
- Authors:
- Christopher Kiragu, Jomo Nyaribo, Vincent Oloo , Haggai Okeyo, Ivy Milgo
- Date posted:
- 21/07/2023
- Last update:
- 21/07/2023
Generalities
1.1. Simple effective use in commerce?
1.2. Registration?
1.3. Cautionary notice?
1.4. Intensive use (notoriety)?
1.5. Public recognition?
1.6. Well-known character?
1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Registrable types of mark
Table: 
2.1. Individual mark?
2.2. Collective mark?
2.3. Certification mark?
2.4. Well-known mark?
2.5. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Registrable forms of mark
Table: 
3.1. Word mark?
3.2. Figurative mark with word elements?
3.3. Figurative mark?
3.4. Shape mark?
3.5. Shape mark with word elements?
3.6. Position mark?
3.7. Pattern mark?
3.8. Color (single) mark?
3.9. Color (combination) mark?
3.10. Sound mark?
3.11. Motion mark?
3.12. Multimedia mark?
3.13. Hologram mark?
3.14. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Possibility of claiming a foreign priority
Yes. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…): Six months from the date of filing of the priority claim.
4.1. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…)?
Classification of goods and services
Table: 
5.1. Nice classification adopted (if yes, indicate applicable version)?
5.2. Local subclass system?
Possible claims against new application
Table: 
6.1. Opposition proceedings implemented in trademark law?
6.1.1. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior registered trademark?
6.1.2. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior pending trademark application?
6.1.3. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered trademark in use?
6.1.4. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered notorious/famous mark?
6.1.5. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior company name/trade name?
6.1.6. If yes, is the basis for opposition absolute grounds?
6.1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Observations from third parties? (If yes, indicate the basis for such observations.)
Yes. 
7.1. Prior registered mark?
7.2. Prior pending trademark application?
7.3. Prior non-registered trademark in use?
7.4. Prior non-registered notorious/famous mark?
7.5. Prior company/trade name?
7.6. Absolute grounds?
7.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Mandatory formalities preliminary to filing application?
Yes. 1. Similarity search: Yes If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) 1 week. Approximate costs Local fee (i) for the first class is KES 3,000 (approx.. USD 22), and for each subsequent class is KES 2,000 (aporox. USD 15). Foreign fee (i) for the first class is USD 150, and (ii) for each subsequent class is USD 100. 2. Others: No If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months). Approximate costs.
8.1. Similarity search
8.1.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
8.2. Others?
8.2.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
Specification of goods and services
Class system
Table: 
9.1. Single class system?
9.2. Multiclass system?
9.2.1. Separate applications for goods and services mandatory?
Possible restrictions on goods/services (e.g. alcoholic beverages, retail services, etc. not allowed, or only class headings eligible, etc.)
No. - If YES, please specify.
10.1. If yes, please specify.
Special claims/regulations
Table: 
11.1. Claim of previous use possible?
11.1.1. If yes, is proof required (affidavit, use specimens, etc.)?
11.1.2. If yes, through which kinds of proceedings can the proof of use be requested (opposition, cancelation, renewal proceedings, etc.)?
11.2. Disclaimer
11.3. Previous registration in country of origin required
11.4. Changes in the mark appearance during the application proceedings possible
11.5. Restrictions regarding trademark owner (e.g. trademark protection not eligible for owner from particular countries).
11.5.1. If yes, please specify.
11.6. Is there any legal term from which the trademark must be used in order to avoid a possible cancellation?
11.6.1. If yes, please specify.
11.7. Other (if yes, please specify)
Filing documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
Options: Power of attorney: Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin: Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Priority documents (if priority claimed): Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Others: No
- If yes, please specify N/A
12.1. Power of attorney
12.2. Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin
12.3. Priority documents (if priority claimed)
12.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
Late filing of documents
Table: 
13.1. Is late filing of documents permitted?
13.1.1. If yes, please indicate the time limit (days/months from....).
13.2. Official late filing fee due?
Means for representation of the mark (for instance JPEG with XY pixels)
Table: 
14.1. Figurative mark with word elements
14.2. Figurative mark
14.3. Shape mark
14.4. Shape mark with word elements
14.5. Position mark
14.6. Pattern mark
14.7. Color (single) mark
14.8. Color (combination) mark
14.9. Sound mark
14.10. Motion mark
14.11. Multimedia mark
14.12. Hologram mark
Local legal representatives for foreign applicants
Table: 
15.1. Are local legal representatives mandatory for foreign applicants?
15.2. Possibility of having representatives domiciled in another country?
15.2.1. If yes, please specify the countries.
Examination
Table: 
16.1. Is there formal examination?
16.1.1. If yes, does the formal examination take place prior to the publication of the application?
16.2. Is there examination on absolute grounds?
16.3. Is there examination on relative grounds?
16.4. Can relative grounds be objected by the Trademark Office or only by the prior rights' owners?
16.5. Are letters of consent admissible to overcome ex-officio citations of prior marks?
16.5.1. If yes, is notarization or legalization required?
16.6. Is there an examination timeframe if no official objections are raised?
Publication
Table: 
17.1. Publication before registration?
17.2. Publication after registration?
17.3. Publication in trademark Gazette?
17.4. Publication in local newspapers?
17.5. Official publication fee due?
Registration
Table: 
18.1. Certificate of Registration in paper form?
18.2. Certificate of Registration in electronic form?
18.3. Term of protection of the mark? Please include term details
18.3.1. As from priority date?
18.3.2. As from filing date?
18.3.3. As from registration date?
18.3.4. As from actual registration date?
18.3.5. As from date of issuance of Certificate of Registration?
18.3.6. Other (if yes, please specify)
18.4. End of grace period of use? Please include term details
18.4.1. As from official registration date?
18.4.2. As from actual registration date?
18.4.3. As from end of opposition deadline?
18.4.4. As from conclusion of opposition proceedings (if any)?
18.4.5. Other (if yes, please specify)
18.5. How long can we expect a decision on the application by BPTO?
Official fees due at the time
Table: 
Please link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the fees are accessible and updated http://www.kipi.go.ke/images/forms/trademark_forms/trade%20mark%20fees%20local%20and%20foreign.pdf
19.1. Filing
19.2. Publication
19.3. Registration
19.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
19.5. Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the fees are accessible and updated.
Renewal
Documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
Options: Power of attorney: Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Original registration certificate: No
- Notarization: No
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Affidavit of use: Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Evidence of use: Yes
- Notarization: Yes
- Apostille: No
- Legalization: No
- Scanned copies permitted: Yes
Others Yes / No
- If yes, please specify
20.1. Power of attorney
20.2. Original registration certificate
20.3. Affidavit of use
20.4. Evidence of use
20.5. Others (if yes, please specify)
Is the late filing of documents admissible? If yes, please indicate the time limit.
Options: Admissible: Yes
- If yes, please indicate the time limit.
Official late filing fee due: Yes
21.1. Official late filing fee due?
Is there a renewal grace period provided for by law? If yes, please indicate the timing.
Options: Provided for by law: Yes
- If yes, please the timing. - one month after the advertisement of non-renewal with payment of the late renewal fee.
Special maintenance requirements
Table: 
23.1. First declaration of use?
23.2. Time to file?
23.3. Extensions permitted?
23.3.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted)
23.4. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
23.5. Second declaration of use? If other, please specify.
23.6. Time to file?
23.7. Extensions permitted?
23.7.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted).
23.8. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
Recording of changes/limitation
Table: 
24.1 Limitations of lists of goods/services?
24.1.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
24.1.2. Official fees due?
24.2. Change in name or address of owner?
24.2.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
24.2.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
24.2.3. Official fees due?
24.3. Change in ownership?
24.3.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
24.3.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
24.3.3. Official fees due?
24.4. Change of representative?
24.4.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
24.4.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
24.4.3. Official fees due?
Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the official fees are accessible and updated.
Disclaimer: This guide contains summaries of general principles of law. It is not a substitute for specific legal advice and should not be relied upon in relation to the application of the law or subject matter covered.