The requirements for filing a patent application in Nigeria under the Patents and Designs Act.
Basic Requirements:
- Request for a Patent: The application must contain a request for the grant of a patent.
- Applicant Information: Include the applicant\’s full name and address. If the applicant\’s address is outside Nigeria, an address for service in Nigeria must be provided.
- Description of the Invention: A thorough description of the invention is required, accompanied by any relevant plans and drawings. The description should be clear and complete enough to enable a person skilled in the relevant art or field to implement the invention.
- Claims: Define the scope of protection sought for the invention with one or more claims. Note that each application should pertain to a single invention only.
- Prescribed Fees: The application must be submitted with the prescribed fees, which are determined by the Registrar of Patents and Designs.
Additional Requirements:
- Power of Attorney: If an agent is filing the application on behalf of the applicant, a Power of Attorney authorizing the agent must be included. The Power of Attorney should be signed by the applicant.
- Declaration by True Inventor: If the inventor is not an employee of the applicant, the application must include a declaration by the true inventor. The declaration should provide the inventor\’s name and address and request acknowledgment as the inventor in the patent.
- Deed of Assignment: When the inventor is not an employee of the applicant, a Deed of Assignment is required to transfer all patent rights to the applicant.
Foreign Priority:
If claiming foreign priority based on an earlier application filed in a country other than Nigeria (a convention application), the following information must be included in the Nigerian application:
- Date and number of the earlier application
- Country where the earlier application was filed
- Name of the person who filed the earlier application
The Nigerian application must be submitted within 12 months of the earlier foreign application.
Addressing the Registrar:
The completed application should be addressed to:
To: The Registrar of Patents & Designs Patent Branch Federal Ministry of Commerce Garki, Abuja Nigeria.
This is submitted online through the portal.
There are some challenges associated with the Nigerian patent system. For instance, the lack of substantive examination during the application process means that patents are granted at the risk of the patentee and without a guarantee of validity. The manual processing of applications and absence of an automated registry system can also lead to delays and difficulties in accessing patent information.