1. It All Started Back in 1906
That’s right, protection of intellectual property rights in Sudan began as early as the beginning of the twentieth century. Over a hundred years ago!
In the early stages the protection took a basic form, that is a cautionary notice announcing the brand or the invention and its owner, like the below example:
Sudan Government Gazette No. 508, 15th September, 1928.
2. IP Laws
Very soon during the first half of the twentieth century, the wheel of protection rolled down the development highway and a legislation was put in place to secure the protection of IP rights. Today, each branch of IP is covered by a separate law and implementing regulation. The main IP laws are: Trademarks Act of 1969, Patents Act of 1971, Industrial Designs Act of 1974 and Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Act of 2013.
3. Globalization..Globalization
In its next move, Sudan hopped on the IP globalization train by accession to important international IP treaties including Paris Convention, Madrid Agreement, Madrid Protocol, Patent Cooperation Treaty and Berne Convention. Currently, Sudan is in the process of becoming a member in the World Trade Organization.
4. First IP Court in the Arab World and Africa
In 2001 a court was established, specialized to hear civil and criminal IP cases making it the first IP court in the entire Arab World and Africa. This may come as a surprise to you. But in fact, it is an organic outcome of IP rights being introduced in Sudan approximately a hundred years prior. This court is among a few other IP organs in the country including the General Directorate of Intellectual Property (covering Trademark Department, Patent Department and Industrial Designs Department), Council of Literary & Artists Works, Intellectual Property Public Prosecution and the Customs.
5. The Process
As a business owner, you will find the requirements and cost motivating to protect your IP rights in Sudan. If you reside outside Sudan, you must appoint a locally licensed trademark and patent agent to represent you in the process.
For advice and assistance in protecting your IP rights in Sudan, do not hesitate to message me through live chat, email or give me a call.
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