Patents and Industrial Designs Act, 2012
An Act providing for the protection of patents and industrial designs in Sierra Leone.
Summary
The Patents and Industrial Designs Act, 2012 provides for the protection of patents (for inventions) and industrial designs in Sierra Leone, modernising the country's industrial-property law and supporting innovation and investment.
The Act sets out the conditions for patentability (novelty, inventive step and industrial application) and for the protection of industrial designs, the procedure for application, examination, grant and registration, the rights conferred and their duration, and the exceptions and compulsory-licensing provisions. It provides for the assignment and licensing of rights and for remedies against infringement, and gives effect to international industrial-property obligations.
Main provisions
- Provides for the grant and protection of patents for inventions.
- Provides for the registration and protection of industrial designs.
- Sets the conditions for patentability and design protection.
- Provides for application, examination, grant and the rights conferred.
- Provides for licensing, compulsory licensing and remedies against infringement.
- Gives effect to international industrial-property obligations.