Industries
Trademark Registration in Nigeria
Law Allianz handles trademark registration in Nigeria from start to finish, from the first search to the certificate in your hands. Our intellectual property team is based in Lekki, Lagos. We work with Nigerian businesses protecting their name for the first time and with foreign brands entering the Nigerian market.
Overview
In Nigeria, a good name can grow quickly, and it can be copied just as quickly. A lot of business owners only find out what their brand is worth when someone else starts using it.
Whether you’re launching a business, entering Nigeria or growing an established brand, your name, logo and identity are assets. They’re often worth more than anything else the business owns, and like any other asset, they need protecting.
Registering your trademark gives you the legal right to stoo others using your brand, or anything close enough to confuse your customers. Without registraton, you’re left relying on a passing off claim, which is slower, harder to prove and more expensive to win.
Registering a business with the CAC does not protect your brand. It lets you trade under that name, but it diesn’t stop a competitor using the same name on their products. Only a registered trademark does that.
Our IP lawyers help you protect your brand, build on it and earn from it. We give practical advice with your business goals in mind, not a lecture on the law.
What we protect
- Brand names and word marks
- Logos and design marks
- Slogans and taglines
- Distinctive business identity: the look, feel and signs your customers know you by
We also handle business name registration, patents for inventions and copyright in original work. So if you need more than a trademark, it’s all handled in one place.
Services Include
- Trademark searches and clearnce opinions
- Filing and prosecuting applications through to registration
- Getting your Certificate of Registration issued
- Trademark renewals
- Bulking and managing trademark portfolios
- Recording changes of name, address and ownership, assignments, mergers and licenses
- Trademark licensing and franchising
- Brand strategy and commercialisation
- Opposition proceedings
- Infringement actions and litigations
- Passing off claims
- Anti-counterfeiting strategy
- Protection against ambush trading
- Brand reputation management
Call for your free consultation
How Trademark Registration Works in Nigeria
Trademarks in Nigeria are registered with the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry in Abuja, under the Trade Marks Act. Here’s what the process looks like.
- Trademark search: We check the Registryfor existing marks that are the same as, or similar to yours. This tells you whether your mark is likely to be accepted before you spend your money on logos, signage or marketing.
- Filing: We prepare and file your application int he right class or classes.
- Acknowledgement: The Registry confirms it has received your application. This is your proof of filing.
- Examination and acceptance: The Registry examines your mark and, if there are no objections, isues an acceptance.
- Registration: If no one opposes it, or an opposition is resolved in your favour, the Registry issues your Certificate of Registration. The mark is legally yours.
Requirements for Trademark Registration in Nigeria
To get started, we only need three things from you:
- Applicant details: full name, address, contact information and nationality. Companies should send a copy of their certificate of incorporation.
- Your mark: the logo or design as a clear JPEG or PNG file, or the exact word or slogan you want to register.
- Your goods or services: a short description of what you sell or offer under the brand.
Send us these and we’ll handle the rest.
How Much Does Trademark Cost in Nigeria
The cost depends mainly on how many classes you need and whether anyone opposes your application. There are two parts to it:
- Official fees paid to the Trademarks Registry for the search, filing and certificate.
- Professional fees for our work preparing, filing and following the application halfway through.
We’ll give you a fixed quote before we start, so you know the full cost from day one. There are no surprise charges halfway through.
How Long Does it Take?
If no one opposes your mark, registration in Nigeria usually takes 12 to 24 months from filing to certificate. Most of that time is the Registry’s examination and the two-month opposition window after publication.
Once your mark is registered, your rights date back to the day you filed. That’s why filing early matters, even if you aren’t ready to launch yet.
How Long Does a Trademark Last in Nigeria?
A registered trademark in Nigeria lasts 7 years from the filing date. After that, ou can renew it every 14 years for as long as you keep using it.
Missing a renewal can mean losing your rights, so we keep track of every client’s renewal dates and remind you well before each one is due.
Choosing the Right Trademark Class
Every trademark is registered for specific goods or services, which are grouped into 45 international classes. For example:
- Class 25:clothing, footwear and headwear
- Class 9: software, apps and downloadable content
- Class 36: financial and banking services
- Class 41: entertainment, music and events
- Class 43: restaurants, food and drink services
Your mark is only protected in the classes you register it in. If you register your clothing brand in Class 25 and later launch a music label under the same name, you’ll need class 41 too. In Nigeria, each class needs its own application, so getting the classes right from the start saves you money. We’ll advise you on exactly which one you need.
Start With a Trademark Search
The most expensive trademark mistake is building a brand on a name someone else has already registered. A search at the Registry before you file shows whether your mark is clear, so you can make changes early rather than rebrand later.
Protecting Your Trademark After Registration
Registration is the start, not the end. Once your mark is registered, we can:
- Watch for new applications that are too close to yours and oppose them
- Send cease and desist letters to anyone using your mark without permission
- Take infringement and passing off action in court
- Work with authorities on counterfiet goods
- License your mark to partners and franchises so it earns you money
Our litigation team handles disputes, so you don’t need to bring in another firm if things escalate.
Why Work With Law Allianz
- We know the industries we serve. Our clients include, record labels, film companies, betting operators, fintechs and consumer brands.
- Trademark lawyers and litigators under one roof. We register your mark and defend it.
- We work with foreign brands. We regularly help international companies protect their marks before they enter Nigeria.
- Clear fees from the start. You get a fixed quote before we begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Nigeria?
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can register trademarks in igeria through a local agent. We act for international brands regularly and handle the whole process for you.
Do I need to register my business before registering a trademark?
No. Individuals and companies can both apply. If you’re applying as a company, we’ll need your certificate of incorporation.
Is CAC business name registration the same as a trademark?
No. CAC registration lets you trade under a name. A trademark stops other people using your brand on their goods or services. Most businesses need both.
What is a trademark certificate?
It’s the official document the Registry issues once your mark is registered. It’s your proof of ownership, and you’ll need it if you ever have to enforce your rights or license your brand.
What happens if someone opposes mytrademark?
You get the chance to respond and defend your application. Our team handles opposition proceedings and will tell you honestly whether your mark is worth fighting for.
Can I use the TM and @ symbols in Nigeria?
You can use TM once you’ve applied. Only use @ after your mark is registered. Using @ on an unregistered mark can get you into trouble.
Is “trade mark” the same as “trademark”?
Yes. The law uses “trade mark”, but most people write “trademark”. They mean the same thing.
Ready to Protect Your Brand?
Tell us about your brand, and we’ll tell you whether it can be registered, which classes you need and what it will cost. Your first consultation is free.