Following the implementation of Rwanda Law 31/2009 on the Protection of Intellectual Property (“the Law”), all trade marks filed under the previous arrangements were to be renewed 10 years after the new Law came into force, namely by 14 December 2019. In the months leading up to the deadline the Registry was adamant that no extension of time to the renewal deadline would be granted.

In a surprising development, on 31 January 2020, the Registrar General informed us that a grace period of 10 months would be allowed. The final deadline for the renewal of marks filed under the old law is now 13 October 2020.

Whilst this news is unexpected it is nevertheless good for any trade mark owner who had previously been unable to meet the deadline.

Contact us for further information.