Intellectual Property Laws at Sudan
Sudan's intellectual property (IP) legal framework encompasses patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs. The Registrar General of Intellectual Property, under the Ministry of Justice, oversees IP matters in Sudan. However, due to ongoing civil unrest, the Sudanese IP Office has suspended operations, affecting the filing and processing of new applications.
🏛️ Legal Framework
1. Patents
Patents Act, 1971 (Act No. 58 of 1971): This act governs the protection of inventions in Sudan. It outlines the criteria for patentability, including novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability
Patents Regulations, 1981: These regulations provide detailed procedures for patent applications, examination, and maintenance
2. Trademarks
Trademark Act, 1969: This act establishes the legal framework for the registration and protection of trademarks in Sudan
3. Copyrights
Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Protection) and Literary and Artistic Works Act, 2013: This act protects the rights of authors and creators of literary and artistic works
4. Industrial Designs
Design Act, 1974: This act provides protection for the visual design of objects that are not purely utilitarian
⚠️ Current Status
As of August 2024, the Sudanese Patent Office resumed limited operations after nearly a year of closure due to civil unrest While new patent applications are now being accepted, subsequent procedures such as registration, examination, and submission of supporting documents are yet to commence Additionally, annuity fee payments to maintain issued patents are being processed. However, the Sudanese IP Office has suspended all operations, including filing new trademark applications, initiating post-registration actions, conducting official searches, and performing status checks, due to ongoing civil war and political conflict
⚖️ Enforcement and Legal Remedies
Sudan established the first IP court in the Arab world and Africa in 2001 to handle civil and criminal IP cases This court is part of a broader IP system that includes the General Directorate of Intellectual Property, the Council of Literary & Artistic Works, the Intellectual Property Public Prosecution, and Customs authorities
📌 Contact Information
Registrar General of Intellectual Property
Address P.O. Box 744, Khartoum, Sudan
📌 Key Takeaways
Patents are governed by the Patents Act, 1971, and the *Patents Regulations, 1981.
Trademarks are protected under the *Trademark Act, 1969.
Copyrights are safeguarded by the *Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Protection) and Literary and Artistic Works Act, 2013.
Industrial Designs are protected under the *Design Act, 1974.
The Sudanese IP Office has suspended operations due to ongoing civil unrest, affecting the filing and processing of new applications.
Enforcement is carried out by the IP Court, established in 2001, along with other IP organs such as the General Directorate of Intellectual Property and the Intellectual Property Public Prosecuting.
RELATED Blog
0 comments