Trademarks & Intellectual Property
Protect your brand in Nigeria
AIO Law advises Nigerian and international businesses on protecting trademarks and other intellectual-property interests in Nigeria.
Our work includes trademark searches, applications, prosecution, renewals, recordals, commercial IP matters and enforcement.
- The mark (word, logo or both)
- Applicant name and country
- Goods and services
- Any existing registrations
Foreign brand owners
Expanding your brand into Nigeria?
Trademark protection should be considered as part of Nigerian market entry, not after the brand has already begun operating in the market.
AIO Law assists overseas companies and brand owners with Nigerian trademark searches, applications and ongoing portfolio matters.
Registrations obtained elsewhere may not automatically extend to Nigeria, so many foreign brand owners file directly with the Nigerian Trademarks Registry.
The process
What the Nigerian process broadly involves.
- 01
Search
Check the register for potentially conflicting marks before filing.
- 02
File
Prepare the application and classify the goods and services.
- 03
Examination
Respond to Registry correspondence and examination issues.
- 04
Publication
The accepted mark is published and may be opposed within the applicable period.
- 05
Registration
Follow through to registration and diarise renewals.
Services
Trademark and IP work we undertake.
Searches & Clearance
Before you file or launch.
- Pre-filing searches
- Availability assessment
- Potential conflicting marks
- Class considerations
A search reduces risk but cannot guarantee that a mark will be registered or will not be opposed.
Trademark Applications
From filing through registration.
- Application preparation
- Classification
- Filing
- Registry correspondence
- Examination issues
- Publication/opposition stages where applicable
- Registration follow-through
Renewals & Portfolio Management
Keeping the portfolio current.
- Renewals
- Changes of proprietor
- Assignments
- Licensing/recordals
- Changes in particulars
- Portfolio review
Disputes & Enforcement
When another party uses or challenges your brand.
- Oppositions
- Infringement issues
- Cease-and-desist strategy
- Settlement
- Litigation where required
- Counterfeit/brand-protection matters
Commercial IP
IP in the contracts.
- Trademark licences
- Brand agreements
- Assignments
- Technology/IP provisions in commercial contracts
Questions
Nigerian trademarks: common questions.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Nigeria?
Yes. A foreign company can apply to register a trademark in Nigeria, usually through a Nigerian legal representative.
Should we conduct a search before filing?
We recommend it. A search helps identify conflicting marks before you invest in filing and launch, although it cannot guarantee registration.
How are goods and services classified?
Nigeria uses the international (Nice) classification system. Each class covers particular goods or services, and the choice of classes determines the scope of protection.
Can AIO Law manage renewals?
Yes. We can manage renewals, recordals and changes across your Nigerian portfolio.
Can AIO Law assist if another party is using our brand?
Yes. We advise on oppositions, infringement, cease-and-desist strategy, settlement and, where required, litigation.
Related workstreams
Brand owners entering Nigeria often also need
Start an enquiry
Bringing a brand to Nigeria?
Send us the mark, the applicant and the goods or services. We will advise on search and filing.