Review of an Application of Trips Agreement in Rwanda Industrial Property Protection: Trademark Aspects

TRIPs agreement on industrial property part provides for intellectual property rights aspects as reflected in terms of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indication and repression of unfair competition. Rwanda became party to TRIPs agreement though acceding to Paris convention on the protection of industrial property in 1983. This convention became integral part of WTO agreement in 1986-1994 Uruguay Rounds while Rwanda acceded to WTO agreement in 1996.

Indeed, Rwanda as a least developed country exercises TRIPs agreement exemption on the implementation of provisions thereof other than article 3, 4 and 5 as a result of a10years transition period extended twice until 1July 2021 in recognition of special needs of least developed countries. Hence the review of an application of TRIPs agreement in Rwanda industrial property protection policy and law considering trademarks aspects was conducted mainly with aim of determining how TRIPs agreement should be applied in Rwanda industrial property considering aspects of trademarks.

From the review made, it was realized that, though the level of trademark registration in Rwanda is still low, considerable progress is being achieved in the light of implantation of TRIPs agreement in the domestic policy and law related to intellectual property rights protection. Therefore, Rwanda should continue strengthening all the initiatives and measures put in place in the light of effective implementation of TRIPs agreement even at the end of transition period, which is due 1July 2021.