Industrial Designs Law in Lesotho
Sure! Here’s a summary of the Industrial Designs Law in Lesotho:
🇱🇸 Industrial Designs Law in Lesotho
📜 Legal Framework
The primary legislation governing industrial designs in Lesotho is the Industrial Property Act, 2010 (Act No. 5 of 2010).
Lesotho is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
Industrial designs are also protected under the framework of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), to which Lesotho belongs.
🎨 Definition of Industrial Design
An industrial design in Lesotho refers to the appearance, shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation of an article.
It must be new and original.
Protection covers the visual features of the product.
📝 Registration Process
Authority: Industrial Property Office, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Application: Applicants file with the Industrial Property Office or through ARIPO.
Requirements:
Completed application form
Clear representations of the design (drawings/photos)
Declaration of novelty/originality
Payment of prescribed fees
Examination: Formality check and sometimes substantive examination depending on the office.
Publication: Design applications are published after registration.
⏳ Duration of Protection
Initial protection term: 5 years
Renewable for up to two consecutive periods of 5 years each
Maximum protection period: 15 years
🚫 Infringement and Enforcement
Unauthorized use or reproduction of a registered design constitutes infringement.
Remedies include civil suits for damages, injunctions, and seizure of infringing products.
🌍 International Protection
Lesotho is a member of ARIPO and participates in the ARIPO Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs, allowing applicants to seek regional protection via ARIPO.
Lesotho is also a signatory to the Paris Convention, which provides priority rights.
Additional Notes
Protection is territorial — registration in Lesotho only protects the design within Lesotho unless ARIPO or other international routes are used.
The Industrial Property Act governs both patents and designs under one framework.
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