ØÁ‰L nU¶T U±þÈ

FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZETA

OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

™®Ë aÕT 123/1987 ¨.H PROCLAMATION No. 123/1995

A PROCLAMATION CONCERING
INVENTIONS, MINOR INVENTIONS AND
½ëÓR! ½™ŒYw” ëÓR ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
™®Ë
WHEREAS, it is necessary to create favorable conditions
in order to encourage local inventive and related activities
½™ÎT ¬úYÕ ½ëÓR FW@ YR°…« oGoOz| qBþR thereby building up national technological capability.
½{¡AÉü ™eH« >FΫp| ™F‚ /úŒýz°…« FðÓT
WHEREAS, it has been found essential to encourage the
™Yë?Îû F<Œú« oFΫ±q" transfer and adoption of foreign technology by creating
conducive environment to assist the national development
qBþR ©ÆÎ| >GYΑ| ½GûÃOάú« ÕO| >Gγ ½¬úÜ efforts of the country.
{¡AÉü ¬Ã ™ÎT ¬úYÕ >GYÎp| ÕeH ?Á >G®@ WHEREAS, the task of fulfilling the nation’s
½Gû¿Y…@ wYGGû /úŒýz« FðÓT ™Yë?Îû < multidimensional demand for a harmonious scientific and
oFΑx"
technological progress, to be used for the public benefits,
shall be most effectively served when there exists an
appropriate legal framework.
>D³oú ÕeH Wüp@ /ÎQx ½WFO XÁ«X {¡AÉü¿
ÐYÏWþ ›«Æ|`ÄË o/ú>úH ™eÔÚ ½z`ìú« ð?Ñ| NOW THEREFORE, in accordance with the Resolution,
on the Transition of the Constituent Assembly, it is hereby
½GJ?| wÐpT ½o>Ó >üXŸ ½Gû…>¬ú wÎoü¬ú ;Ï
proclaimed as follows.
FKO| WüT oF<Œú "

o;Î F«ÐM| Îúp™þ ½F[ÏÎQ¿ ¬úXŒý FWO|

½Gû»w>¬ú z¬úË®@$
H©Rð ™«Æ CHAPTER ONE
™Óc?Á Æ«ÏÎý°… General Provisions

1. Short Title
1. ™ÜT T©Y
This Proclamation may be cited as the “Inventions,
Á; ™®Ë ½ëÓR" ™ŒYw” ëÓR ½™ü«ÄúY| Minor Inventions and Industrial Designs,
Q¿ «Æð ™®Ë aÕT 123/1987 wqA >üÓ`Y proclamation, No. 123/1995.”
2.
Á…?@$ 2. Definitions

2. |TÒGý In this Proclamation unless the context otherwise\

requires:

1
 ½c>ú ™Îpq >þ? |TÒGý ›«ÄüWÓ¬ú Ÿ?Yë>Î
oYw`T o±ü; ™®Ë ¬úYÕ 1. “Court” means the Central High Court.

2. “Industrial Design” means any composition of

1.«ðTÆ oþ|» G>| ½G©»? »ðw” ðTÆ oþ| lines or colours or any three dimensional form
Œ¬ú$ whether or not associated with lines or colours,
provided that such composition or form gives a
2. « ™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð» G>| ½FYFU… ¬ÁH
special appearance to a product of Industry or
½`>I… e«Ë| ¬ÁH »FYFU… »`>I… ÏT handicraft and can serve as a pattern for a product
½w¿¿± ¬ÁH ¿@w¿¿± p>ZY| Îåz eTå of industry or handicraft.
3. “Invention” means an idea of an inventor, which
Wü<« e«Ëx ¬ÁH eTçú >™ü«ÄúY|Q ¬ÁH permits in practice the solution to a specific
>©Ã Õoq ¬úÓþ| @¾ F@¡ ½GûWՍ problem in the field of technology.
o™ü«ÄúY|Q ¬ÁH o©Ã Õoq >GûFO| HT|
4. “Commission” means the Ethiopian Science and
›«Ã«Æð ½Gû¿Î>Ð@ Œ¬ú$ Technology Commission.
3. «ëÓR»G>| o{¡AÉü FY¡ >™«Æ
5. “Patent” means the title granted to protect
½w¬WŒ …ÐT wÐpR Fð|Bþ >FYÓ| inventions; the invention may relate to a product
½Gû¿Y…@ ½™«Æ ½ëÓR KRw” /Xq or a process.
Œ¬ú$ 6. “Patentee” means the owner of a patent or patent
4. «¢Gû]«» G>| ½™ü|Âá¿ LÁ«Y {¡AÉü of introduction.
¢Gû]« Œ¬ú$ 7. “Person” means physical or juridical person.
5. «öw«|» G>| ½ëÓR MR« >GYÓoe ½GûWÕ
8. “Utility Model Certificate” means a certificate
Fq| Wü<« ½ëÓR YR¬ú »™«Æ HT| ¬ÁH issued to a minor invention, which is fit for
»HT| :ûÃ| ÏT ½w¿¿± >ü<« Á…?@$ practical use.
6. «p> öw«|» G>| ½öw«| ¬ÁH ½™YÎoü öw«| 9. “Working of a Patented Invention” means the
p>oþ| Œ¬ú$ manufacture of a patented article or the
application of a patented process, by an effective
7. «W¬ú» G>| ½ëwÕU W¬ú ¬ÁH ;Ï W¬úŒ|
and serious establishment existing within
¿>¬ú ÆTË| Œ¬ú$ Ethiopia.
8. «½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KT|ð»þ|» G>| >wÐpR
™Î@ÐA| qc| ?>¬ú ™ŒYw” ëÓR ½GûWÕ
WT|ð»þ| Œ¬ú$

9. «öw«| ½wWÓ¬ú ëÓR oMR ?Á G®@» G>|

™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ oGûΖ ½wJ? wgH öw«|
½wWÓ¬ú« ©c oîqQŸ GHO| ¬ÁH
½™KRT :ûÃx« wÐpR GÆOÐ Œ¬ú$

H©Rð /ú>| CHAPTER TWO

öw«| PATENTS
Sections 1
¡ð@ ™«Æ General
™Óc?Á
3. Patentable Inventions
3. öw«| ½GûWÔ#¬ú ½ëÓR YR°…
1. An invention is patentable if it is new, involves an
1. ™«Æ ½ëÓR YR ™ÄüYŒ|"ëÓR qc| inventive step and is industrially applicable.
"™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ wÐpRŒ| Ÿ>¬ú öw«|

2
 >üWÓ¬ú Á…?@$ 2. An invention shall be considered new if it is not
anticipated by prior art. Prior art shall consist of
2. ™«Æ ëÓR ™ÄüY ½Gû<Œ¬ú o`ÃH|
everything disclosed to the public, any where in
Õoq ¿@w[ëŒ Wü<Œ Œ¬ú$ `ÃH| Õoq the world, by publication in legible form or by
ëÓR¬ú« oGûF>»| GF@»ƒ »Îpo| ¬ÁH oral disclosure, by use or in any other way, prior
to the filling or, where appropriate, the priority
›«Ã™Ðpoú »`ÄGû `« oí| o½|”¬úH date, of the application claiming the invention.
½¨>H ¡ð@ ow×pÜ oGûzÁ D|F| ¬ÁH
oc@ ¬ÁH ÕeH ?Á oF®@ ¬ÁH o>þ?
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (2)
of this article the disclosure to the public of the
G#¬úH F«ÎÆ >D³q ½wÎ>ã« ŒÎT invention shall not be taken into consideration if it
ÁÁ²@$ occurred within 12 month preceding the filling
date or, where applicable, the priority date, of the
3. ½±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«eé (2) Æ«ÏÎý application, and if it was by reason or in
oüTH GF@»ƒ¬ú »Îpo| ¬ÁH ›«Ã™Ðpoú consequence of acts committed by the applicant or
his predecessor in title or an abuse committed by a
»`ÄGû `« oí| o™>ú| ™YR /ú>| ¬R|
third party with regard to the application or his
¬úYÕ o™F@Ÿ ¬ÁH »™F@Ÿ oí| predecessor in title.
oŒoO p>Fq| ÆTÎû| ¬ÁH ZYw” ¬Î«
4. An invention shall be deemed as involving an
oGûëãF¬ú Õî| ½ëÓR¬ú >D³q FÎ>é inventive step if having regard to the prior art
½™ÄüYŒ| pDT¾« ™¿XÔ¬úH$ relevant to the application and as defined in sub-
article (2) herein above, it would not have been
4. ™«Æ ëÓR ëÓR qc| ™>¬ú ½Gûp>¬ú obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the
»±ü; o?Á o«§úY ™«`å(2) »wÎ>ã¬ú art.
5. An invention shall be considered as industrially
»GF@»ƒ¬ú ÏT ™ÐpqŒ| Ÿ>¬ú `ÃH| Õoq
applicable where it can be made or used in
ÏT WüzÁ oFY»ú wR ›¬ú`| ?>¬ú W¬ú handicraft, agriculture, fishery, social services and
Ð@é ¿@<Œ ›«Ã<Œ Œ¬ú$ any other sectors.

5. ™«Æ ëÓR ™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ wÐpRŒ|

›«Ä>¬ú ½GûfÓO¬ú ëÓR¬ú o©ÃÕoq !
oÐqT ! o¨L /q| @G| oG;oR ™Î@ÐA}
… o>þ? G#¬úH FY¡ >üWR ¬ÁH ÕeH
?Á >ü¬ú@ ½Gû…@ Wü<« Œ¬ú$

4. ½öw«| Õoc ½GÁÃOÐ?#¬ú ½ëÓR 4. Non-Patentable Inventions

MR°…
1. The following shall not be patentable:
1. ½Gû»w>ú| oöw«| Õoc ™ÁÃOÐ?#¬úH a) Inventions contrary to public order or morality
/) ½D³q« W?H ¬ÁH MŒHÐpT ½GûäOP
ëÓR°…! b) Plant or animal varieties or essentially
biological processes for the production of
>) ½©å®| ¬ÁH ½›«YX| ¨ÁŒ}… ¬ÁH plants or animals.
½›«YX| ¬úÓþ}…«>GYΑ| oYŒ-;Á¬|
c) Schemes, rules or methods for playing games
±Tð ½Gû»¬Œú MR°…! or performing commercial and industrial
B) ×®z°…« >GŸ:ýÆ ¬ÁH ½«Ðƍ activities and computer programmes.
½™ü«ÄúY|Q YR°…« >G»¬« ½w±ÏÉú
d) Discoveries scientific theories and
Y@}…" ër… ±Å°… ›«Äü/úH ½ mathematical methods.
¢Hõ¬úwT øUÐRI…!
e) Methods for treatment of the human or animal

3
 F) Ж}…"XÁ«X yÂQ°… ½eFR ±Å°… body by surgery or therapy, as well as
diagnostic methods practiced on the human
K) W¬ú« ¬Á«H ›«YX|« o`Ç Õ΍ ¬ÁH o{Rõ ;
or animal body.
¡H ±Å°… >G»H ›«Äü/úH ½W°…« ¬ÁH f) Works not protected by copyright.
½›«YX|« o]z >FFTFT ½GûOÄú ±Å°…!
2. The provision of sub-article (1) (e) of this article
O) o¢õRÁ| Õoc ½GÁÃOÎ?#¬ú$ shall not apply to products for use in any of the
methods for treatment of the human or animal
2. ½±ü; ™«`å «§úY ™«`é (1) (K) Æ«ÏÎý W¬ú« body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic
methods practiced on the human or animal body.
¬ÁH ›«YX|« o`Ç Õ΍ ¬ÁH o{Rõ ;¡H ±Å°…
>G»H ›«Äü/úH ½W°…« ¬ÁH ½›«YX|« o]z
>FFTFT ½GûOÄú ±Å°…« oÕeH ?Á >G®@
oGû¿Î>Ð>ú ¬úÓþ}… ?Á wëäGû ™Á<«H$

5. ½¬úÜ ±þÑ… Fq}… 5. Rights of Foreign Nationals

o›«Ÿ >›«Ÿ FT< ¬ÁH ›«Ã ™Ðpoú ™ü| Subject to the principle of reciprocity or, where
applicable, in accordance with any treaty that
Âá¿ oH|Îp¬ú G#¬úH YHHŒ| ?Á oFFMO| Ethiopia may be party to, foreign nationals shall have
½¬úÜ ±þÑ… ™ü|ÂῬú« ¿?ÿ#¬ú Fq}… the same rights and obligations as Ethiopians.
ÐÅz°… ÁV#®@$

6. ½öw«| GF@»ƒ°… ¬ÁH öw«}…« GYw? 6. Transfer of Applications or Patents

>ð
Any patent or application for a patent may be
transferred by sale or inheritance or any other means
G«”¬úH öw«| ¬ÁH ½öw«| GF@»ƒ oDÐ FKO| o] in accordance with the law. Such transfer shall be
¿Ü ¬ÁH o¬úTY ¬ÁH o>þ? oG#¬úH F«ÎÆ
recorded with the commission, upon payment of fees
>üw?>ð Á…?@$ o±ü; ™Ÿÿ=« ½GûÃOάú Fw?
>ð oëoú ½wÎ>ç¬ú ¡ð¿ »wëãF o=? o¢Gû]Œú prescribed in the regulations.
FF³Îq ÁToz@$
Section 2
¡ð@ /ú>| Right to a Patent and Naming of Inventor
½öw«| Fq| ½ëÓR KRw” Y¿Gý 7. Right to a Patent

7. ½öw«| Fq| 1. The right to a patent shall belong to the inventor.

1. ½öw«| Fq| ½GûWÓ¬ú >ëÓR KRw” 2. If two or more persons have jointly made an
invention the right to the patent shall belong to
Œ¬ú$ them jointly.
2. /ú>| ¬ÁH »/ú>| o?Á ½<Œú W°… oÏR
3. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the
™«Æ ½ëÓR MR Ÿ»¬Œú ½ÏR ½öw«| right to a patent for an invention made in the
Fq| ÁR#®@$ execution of a contract of service or employment
shall belong to the person having commissioned
3. wcRŒû YHHŒ| »>þ> o`T o™Î@ÐA| the work or the employer.
¬ÁH oeÕT ¬ú@ ™GŸ–Œ|
›«Äü»¬«>| ?ÃOάú W¬ú ¬ÁH
4. Invention made without any relation to an

4
 >`ÔQ¬ú Á<@$ employment or service contract and without the
use of the employer’s resources, data means,
4. »eÕT ¬ÁH »™Î@ÐA| ¬ú@ ÏT Ы’Œ|
materials or equipment shall belong solely to the
o>þ>¬ú F«Îƍ ½`ÔQ¬ú« ¬ÁH employee or the person commissioned.
½™WQ¬ú« /q|" FOÉ " GHOƒ ¬ÁH
5. In the absence of an express term to the contrary,
™Î@ÐA| FYÚ G{Q¿@ ¬ÁH FXQ¿ XÁÓ`H inventions made by the employee or person
>Gû¿»¬úŒ¬ú ½ëÓR MR p>oþ| commissioned which do not come within sub-
w`ÔQ¬ú ¬ÁH o¬ú>ú FKO| MR¬ú«
article 3 of this article and which result from both
the personal contribution of the author and the
½KR¬ú W¬ú Á<@$ resources, data, means, materials or equipment of
5. ½ëÓR KRw”¬ú« ½Ð@ ™Yw®åœ the employer shall be owned jointly in equal
shares.
½`ÔQ¬ú« /q|" FOÉ " ½GHOƒ ¬ÁH
™Î@ÐA| FYÚ G{Q¿@ ¬ÁH
FXQ¿ oGYwpoT ow`ÔQ¬ú ¬ÁH o¬ú>ú
FWO| MR¬ú« oGûWR¬ú W¬ú
½w»¬Œú o±ü; ™«`å 3 YT >üŸwx
½GÁ…>ú ½ëÓR YR°… wcRŒû YHHŒ|
»>þ> o`T ›»ú@ ÆT\« FWO| oGÆOÐ
½/ú>xH ½ÏR «qO}… Á<>ú$

8. oëÓR KRw”Œ| FW½H 8. Naming of Inventor

½ëÓR WRw”¬ú >¢Gû]Œú oGû¿`To¬ú @¾ The inventor shall be named as such in the
application and the patent unless in a special
FÐ>Ú oëÓR WRw”Œ| ›«ÄÁW½H oé/úð written declaration addressed to the commission he
Ÿ@Ó½` oYw`T oGF@»ƒ¬ú ¬ÁH oöw«x ?Á YFú indicates that he wishes not to be named, and any
FYëT ™>o| $ ›«Ã±ü; ¨ÁŒx« FÐ>Ú >FYÓ| promise or undertaking by the inventor made to any
person to the effect that he will make such
oG`Æ >G””¬úH W¬ú oëÓR KRw”¬ú ½wÎp c@ declaration shall be without legal effect.
¬ÁH ½wÃOÎ YHHŒ| DÏ ¬úÓþ| ™ÁO¬úH$

Section 3
Application and Examination of Patents
¡ð@ ZY|
9. Application
½öw«| GF@»ƒ ½GF@»ƒ HTFR 1. The person having the right to a patent for an
invention in accordance with Article 7 may, upon
9. GF@»ƒ payment of the prescribed fees, apply to the
commission for the grant of a patent for that
1. o™«`å 7 FWO| >ëÓR¬ú öw«| ½GБ| Fq| invention.
2. Application shall be made in writing and shall
¿>¬ú W¬ú ½wFÃo¬ú« ¡ð¿ uSðìU ¢Gû]Œú relate to one invention only. However, two or
>ëÓR¬ú öw«| ›«ÄüWÓ¬ú FÓ½e Á…?@$ more inventions, belonging to a single general
concept, may be filed as one application.
2. GF>»ƒ¬ú ™«Æ« ½ëÓR MR qƒ ½GûF>»| < 3. The application shall contain a request for the

5
 oé/úð FeOq ÁToz@$ <H Ы /ú>| ¬ÁH grant of a patent and include a description of the
»±ü¿ o?Á ½<Œú ëÓR°… o™«Æ ™Óc?Á invention, one or more claims, an abstract, and
where necessary, drawings.
å«W :Xq ½wŸwx <Œ¬ú WüÎ’ o™«Æ 4. In accordance with sub-article (3) of this article:-
FG@»ƒ >ü`Toú Á…?>ú$
a. The request shall contain a petition to the effect
3. GF@»ƒ¬ú ½öw«| ÁWÓ– Õ¿d › ½ëÓR¬ú« that a patent be granted, the name of and other
FÐ>Ú! ™«Æ ¬ÁH »™«Æ o?Á ½<Œ ½Fq| prescribed data concerning the applicant, the
¬W«! ½ëÓR¬ú« ™ÜT Á±| ›«Äü/úH ™Yë?Îû
inventor and the agent, if any, and the title of the
invention. Where the applicant is not the inventor,
< WüΖ M©A…« F¿³ ™>o|$ the application shall contain a statement justifying
4. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é 3 FWO| ½Gû`Tq the applicant’s right to the patent.
b. The description shall disclose the invention in a
/. Õ¿d öw«| ›«ÄüWÕ ½Gû`Tq GF@»ƒ« manner sufficiently clear and complete for the
½™F@Ÿ« ½ëÓR KRw”¬ú ¬»ü@ Ÿ>¬ú invention to be carried out by a person having
ordinary skill in the art, and shall, in particular
½¬»ü>ú« YH >þA… ½Gûë>Îú FOÉ°…«
indicate at least one mode known to the applicant
›«Äü/úH ½ëÓR¬ú« ™T©Y| F¿³ ™>o|$ for carrying out the invention. The description
™F@Ÿ ½ëÓR KRw” p@<Œ Îû±þ öw«| may be used to interpret the claims;
c. The claim or claims shall define clearly and
>GБ| ¿>¬ú« Fq| ½Gû¿YOÄ FÐ>Ú concisely the matter for which protection is
oGF@»ƒ¬ú ¬úYÕ FYÓ| ÁToz@$ sought. The claim or claims shall be fully
Supported by the description.
>. FÐ>Ú¬ú oFú¿¬ú ½W>ÓŒ W¬ú oFÐ>Ú¬ú d. The abstract shall merely serve the purpose of
FKO| ëÓR¬ú« YR ?Á >G®@ ›«Äü…@ technical information; however, it shall not be
taken into account for the purpose of interpreting
½Gû¿oc¬ú« ¿;@ Ð@å Fú>ú F<« ™>o|$
the scope of protection.
FÐ>Ú¬ú ow>ÁH ëÓR¬ú« YR ?Á >G®@
½Gû¿Y…>ú|« o™F@Ÿ »Gûz¬a| ±Å°… 5. Drawings shall be required when they are deemed
necessary for the understanding of the invention
oü¿«Y ™«Ã”¬ú« GF>»| ÁToz>$
and may be used to interpret the claims.
FÐ>Ú¬ú ½Fq| ¬WŒú« >FwTÑH 6. An applicant may withdraw his or its application
>ü¿Î>Ð@ Á…?@$ at any time before a patent is granted.
7. An applicant who is not domiciled or who has not
B. ½Fq| ¬W« Õoc ½Gûë>Ðo|« ŒÎT Ð@å established business in Ethiopia shall appoint an
™ÓT p> /úŒýz F¬W« ™>o|$ ½Fq| agent who is domiciled in Ethiopia.
8. Application shall be accompanied by power of
¬WŒú oFÐ>Ú¬ú Fú>ú oFú>ú FÃÎð attorney when it is made by an agent.
ÁToz>$

F. ½ëÓR ™ÜT FÐ>Ú >{¡ŒûŸ FOÉ ¨?G qƒ

›«Éü ½Õoc ¬WŒú« >FwTÑH ™¿Î>Ð@H$
5. ëÓR¬ú« >FOÄ| ™Yë?Îû < WüΖ M©A…
›«Äü`Toú ÁÓ½c@$ M©AH ½Fq| ¬W««
>FwTÑH >ü¿Î>Ð>ú Á…?>ú$
6. G«”¬úH ™F@Ÿ… öw«| »FWÓx oí| oG«”¬úH
Îû±þ GF@»ƒ¬ú« Fw¬ú Á…?@$
7. Œ®QŒx ™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ ¿@<Œ ¬ÁH ™ü|
Âá¿ ¬úYÕ gGû ÆTË| ½>þ>¬ú ™F@Ÿ…
Œ®QŒx ™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ ½<Œ ¬»ü@
FW½H ÁToz@$
8. GF@»ƒ¬ú o¬»ü@ ™GŸÁŒ| oGû`Tqo| Îû±þ

6
 ½¬ú¡@ GYOÉ w¿Á´ FeOq ÁToz@$

10. w²GË ½¬úÜ öw«| GF@»ƒ« ½GûF>»| FOÉ 10. Information Concerning Corresponding
Foreign Application for Patents
1. GF@»ƒ »`Ooo| ëÓR ¬ÁH »±ü¿ ÏT >w²FÃ
1. The application shall, at the request of the
™«Æ ¨ÁŒ| ¬ÁH wFXXÁ ëÓR o¬úÜ ™ÎT Commission, furnish it with the date and number of
GF@»ƒ°… ½`Ooú ›«Ã<Œ o¢Gû]Œú Õ¿d any application for a patent filed by him abroad
FWO| ™F@Ÿ ½¬úÙ¬ú« GF@»ƒ `« aÕT relating to the same or essentially the same inventions
as that claimed with the Commission.
FYÓ| ™>o|$

2. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) FWT| ½`Ooú 2. The applicant shall, at the request of the Commission,
furnish it with the following documents relating to the
½¬úÙ GF@»ƒ°… WüP ¢Gû]Œú foreign applications referred to in sub-article (1) of
oGû¿`To¬ú Õ¿d FWO| ™F@Ÿ this article:
½Gû»w>ú|« WŒÇ… GeOq ÁToz@ "
a) A copy of any communication received by the
applicant concerning the results of any search or
/) ™F@Ÿ ½w`o>¬ú ½¬úÙ GF@»ƒ« examination carried out in respect of the foreign
½GûF>»| ð>Ï › HTFR ¬úÓþ| eË application;
b) a copy of the patent granted on the basis of
>) o¬úÙ¬ú ½öw«| GF@»ƒ FWO| ½wWÓ foreign patent application;
öw«| eË c) a copy of any final decision rejecting the foreign
application or refusing the grant of the patent
B) ½¬úÙ GF@»ƒ¬ú« ¬úÆe >GÆOÐ ¬ÁH requested in the foreign application.
öw«| ?>FYÓ| ½wÃOÎ ½G#¬úH
3. The applicant shall, at the request of the
½F×O\ ¬úXŒý eË
Commission, furnish it with a copy of any final
decision invalidating the patent granted on the basis
3. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (2) owF>»w¬ú of the foreign application referred to in sub-article (2)
½¬úÙ GF@»ƒ FWO| ½wWÓ« öw«| ½WO± of this article.
G#¬úH ½F×O\ ¬úXŒý eË ¢Gû]Œú
oGû¿`To¬ú Õ¿d FWO| ™F@Ÿ GeOq ™>o|
$

11. ½FÈFQ¿ wF³ÏoüŒ| FT; ½`ÄGûŒ| Fq| 11. First to File Rule and Right of Priority

1. ™«Æ ¨ÁŒ| ëÓR RX#¬ú« …>¬ú ½WP 1. When two or more persons who have independently
made the same invention separately file
/ú>| ¬ÁH »±ü¿ o?Á ½<Œú W°… >ëÓR¬ú applications for patents on the same subject matter,
öw«| ›«ÄüWÔ#¬ú Wü¿F>¡x öw«| ½GБ| the right to the patent shall belong to the person
Fq| ½GûWÓ¬ú GF@»ƒ¬ú« oFÈFQ¿ ?YÎp¬ú who filed the first application.
1. 2. Subject to the principle of reciprocity or, where
™F@Ÿ… Á<@$ applicable, in accordance with any treaty which
2. o›«Ÿ >›«Ÿ FT< ¬ÁH ›«ÄÐpoú ™ü|Âá¿ oH| Ethiopia may be a party, where any foreign
applicant files his application in Ethiopia within
Îp¬ú G#¬úH YHHŒ| FWO| ™«Æ ½¬úÜ twelve months from the date which he first filed in
/ÎT ™F@Ÿ… o¬úÜ /ÎT öw«| ›«ÄüWÓ¬ú a foreign country an application for the same
invention, the date on which the application was
»Ó½`o| `« ™«Y} p>ú| ™YR /ú>| ¬R|
first filed in the foreign country shall be regarded as
¬úYÕ o™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ >wFXX¾ ½ëÓR YR the date of filing if the applicant claims the right of
GF@»ƒ Wü¿`Tq ½`ÄGûŒ| Fq| WüÓÁe priority and furnishes within the prescribed time
limit a copy of the earlier application certified as

7
 ½`ÄGû¬ú« GF@»ƒ eÉü »wF±Îoo| é_oþ| | correct by the office with which it was filed and
¡¡>”Œ|« ½GûÎ@é GOÏÎÚ › >þA… other documents and information as prescribed.
½GûÓ½a WŒÇ…« FOÉ°…« ow¬WŒ
½Îû±þ ÎÃq ¬úYÕ ŸFÔ o¬úÜ /ÎT GF@»ƒ¬ú
½wF±Îoo| `« ½H³Îp `« wqA Á¬WÄ@$

12. ½H³Îp `« 12. Filing Date

1. ¢Gû]Œú GF@»ƒ¬ú! 1. The Commission shall accord as the filing date the
date of receipt of the application, provided that, at
/) öw«| ›«ÄüWÕ Fë>Îú« ½Gû¿XÁ Ð@å ¬ÁH the time of receipt, the application contains;
™«ÆHz ÕfG! a). An express or implicit indication that the
granting of a patent is sought;
>) ½™F@Ÿ« G«Œ| >GOÏÎÕ ½Gû¿Y…@ ÕfG! b). Indications allowing the identity of the
B) oÕe>ú WüzÁ ½ëÓR FÐ>Ú ½GûFY@ ¡ð@
applicant to be established;
c). A part which, on the face of it, appears to be a
½¿± F<Œú« Wü¿OÏÐÕ GF@»ƒ¬ú« description of an invention;
½w`o>o|« Îû±þ ½H³Îp `« qA ÁWÔ@$ 2. If the Commission finds that the application did
not,at the time of receipt, fulfill the requirements
2. ¢Gû]Œú GF@»ƒ¬ú« ow`o>o| Îû±þ »±ü; o? referred to in sub-article (1), herein above it shall
Á o«§úY ™«`é (1) ½wF>»x| wJ@w¬ú Ÿ@wÎ’ invite the applicant to file the required correction
and shall accord as the filling date the date of
™F@Ÿ ™Yë?Îû¬ú« G\\¿ ›«Äü¿ÃTÐ
receipt of the required correction, but if no
ÁÓR®@ $ G\\¿¬ú« ½w`o>o|« `« ½H³Îp `« correction is made, the application shall be treated
qA ÁWÓ®@$ <H Ы G\\¿¬ú XÁÃOÐ oü`T as if had not been filed.
GF@»ƒ¬ú »FÈFQ¿¬ú ›«Ä@`Oo ÁfÓR@$ 3. Where the application refers to drawings, which in
fact are not included in the application the Commission,
shall invite the applicant to furnish the missing
3. oGF@»ƒ¬ú FÐ>Ú ¿@z`ì M©A…« GF@»ƒ¬ú
drawings. If the applicant complies with the said
½Gû¿F>¡| Wü<« ¢Gû]Œú ™F@Ÿ invitation, the Commission shall according as the filing
½ÑÃ>ú|« M©A… ›«Äü¿FÔ ÁÓR®@ $ date the date of receipt of the missing drawings.
Otherwise, the Commission shall accord as the filing
™F@Ÿ oÕQ¬ú FWO| ½ÑÃ>ú|« M©A…
date the date of receipt of the application and shall treat
Wü¿FÔ ›Œ±ü/ú Y›A… ½`Ooúo|« `« any reference to the said drawings as non-existent.
¢Gû]Œú ½H³Îp `« qA ÁWÔ@$ ½ÑÃ>ú
Y›A… ¿@`Ooú ›«Ã<Œ ¢Gû]Œú ½H³Îp `«
qA ½GûWÓ¬ú GF@»ƒ ½`Ooo|« `« Wü<«
½ÑÃ>ú M©A…« oGûF>»| ½GûÃOάú
ŒÎT /ú>ú ›«Ã>þ> ÁfÓR@$

13. Y> GF@»ƒ HTFR 13. Examination of Application

1. ¢Gû]Œú ½GF@»ƒ ñTG>üy HTFR 1. The Commission shall undertake a formal

examination of the application.
¿»¬ú@$ 2. When, upon formal examination, the application is
2. ½GF@»ƒ¬ú ½ñTG>üy HTFR WüÃOÐ not in conformity with the requirements laid down
in this proclamation and in the regulation, the
o±ü; ™®Ë oëoú ¬úYÕ ½w±O±P|«
Commission shall call upon the applicant to
FF±”°… Ÿ?J? ¢Gû]Œú ™F@Ÿ GF@»ƒ¬ú« amend the application. If the applicant fails to
›«Äü¿\\@ ÁÓR®@$ ™F@Ÿ amend as required within a period of two month,
the application shall be considered withdrawn.
™«ÃwÓ½`¬ú o/ú>| ¬R| Îû±þ ¬úYÕ >G\\ 3. Where the Commission determines that the

8
 @ Ÿ@ƒ> GF>»ƒ¬ú« F@Z ›«Ã¬Wà application is acceptable, it shall undertake or
ÁfÓR@$ cause to be undertaken a substantive examination
of the invention.
3. ¢Gû]Œú »ñTG>üy HTFR o=? GF@»ƒ¬ú
Section 4
w`pÁŒ| ™>¬ú qA Wü¬W« ½ëÓR
Issuance, Contents and Duration of a patent and
MR¬ú« MOŒÎT HTFR ¿»¬ú@ ¬Á«H Annual Fees
›«Äü»¬« ¿ÃTÏ@$ 14. Grant of a Patent
1. A patent can be granted to an applicant upon
fulfillment of the requirements of this
¡ð@ ™R| proclamation and the regulations issued there
öw«| Y>FYÓ|! ½öw«| Á±|!ûw«| ã«} under.
½GfÁo| Îû±þ! Y> ™Fz ¡ð¿ 2. When a patent is granted the Commission shall
a. Publish a reference to the grant of the
14. û}”ƒ eKSeÖƒ patent in an official Gazette,
b. Issue the applicant a certificate of the
1. o±ü; ™®Ë o™®Éú FWO| oGû¬Ô¬ú ëq grant of the patent and a copy of the
½GûÓ½a patent,
c. record the patent, and
FF±”°…« >Gû¿J? ™F@Ÿ… öw«| ÁWÔ@$ d. Make available copies of the patent to any
2. ¢Gû]Œú öw«| oWÓ Î±þ! person on payment of the prescribed fees.
/. öw«| Y>FYÓx oœíW? ϱþÔ ¿X¬úc@! 3. The Commission shall upon request of the owner
of the patent, to make changes in the text or
>. öw«| Y>FYÓx WTyí»þ| › ½öw«x« eÉü drawings of the patent in order to limit the extent
>™F@Ÿ ÁWÔ@$ of the Protection conferred thereby, provided that
the change may not result in the disclosure
B. öw«x« ÁF±Ðp@ ›«Äü/úH!
contained in the patent going beyond the
F. ½öw«x« eÉü ½w¬WŒ¬ú« ¡ð¿ >GûëåH disclosure contained in the initial application on
G«”¬úH the basis of which the patent was granted.
W¬ú ÁWÔ@$
3. ™F@Ÿ oGû¿`To¬ú Õ¿d FWO| ¢G]Œú öw«|
owWÓ¬ú ½FÈFQ¿ GF@»ƒ ?Á »wÎ>ã¬ú ¬úÜ
½<Œ
ŒÎT Ÿ?Y»w> ½Õoc ¬WŒú« >FÎÃq oöw«|
WŒÄú
¬ÁH Y›A… ?Á >¬úÕ >ü¿ÃTÐ Á…?@$

15. ½öw«| Á±| 15. Contents of a patent

The patent shall certify the exclusive right of the

öw«x p>öw«x oëÓR¬ú ?Á ¿>¬ú« q#” Fq| patentee over his invention and contain other particulars
½Gû¿OÏÐÕ › >þA… oëoú ¬úYÕ ½wÃŒÎÎú prescribed in the regulations.
³T³T ŒÕr…« ½¿± F<« ™>o|$

16. ½öw«| Fq| ã«} ½GûfÁo| Îû±þ 16. Duration of a Patent

A patent shall be granted for an initial period of fifteen

½öw«| Fq| ã«} ½GûfÁo| Îû±þ Õoc >GБ| years commencing from the filling date of the
½`Oo¬ú GF@»ƒ »wF±Îoo| `« ™«Y} >™MR application for protection. However, the validity of the
™HY| ¨Fz| Á<@$ <H ëÓR¬ú o™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ patent may be extended for a further period of five years
provided that proof is furnished that the invention is
oGûÎp MR ?Á ›½®> F<Œú« ½Gû¿YOÄ GYOÉ being properly worked in Ethiopia.

9
 Wü`Tq ½öw«| Fqx >w×GQ ™HY| ¨Fz| >üR±H
Á…?@$

17. ¨Fz ¡ð¿ 17 .Annual Fees

1. öw«x« ¬ÁH ½öw«| GF@»ƒ¬ú« p>o| 1. In order to maintain the patent or

the patent application, an annual fee shall be paid
™Ÿÿ=« >Gf½| ›«Äü…@ öw«| ›«ÄüWÕ in advance to the Commission for each year,
½`Oo¬ú GF@»ƒ »wF±Îoo| `« ™«Y} »™«Æ starting one year after the filling date of the
¨F| o=? >›¿«Ä«Äú ¨F| >¢Gû]Œú ¨Fz application for grant of the patent. A period of
grace of six months shall be allowed for the late
¡ð¿ oeÆGû¿ F¡ë@ ™>o|$ ™Fz payment of the annual fee on payment of the
¡ð¿ »w¬WŒ¬ú Îû±þ ±ÐÁ} »w×GQ ¡ð¿ ÏT prescribed surcharge.
2. If an annual fee is not paid in
>F¡ë@ ½YÆY| ¬T ½…Uz Îû±þ ÁR@$
accordance with the provision of sub-article (1) of
2. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) ?Á owÃŒÎάú his article, the patent application shall be deemed
to have been withdrawn or the patent shall lapse.
FWO| ¨Fz ¡ð¿¬ú Ÿ@w»ë> ™F@Ÿ
GF@»ƒ¬ú« F@Z ›«Ã¬Wìú ¬ÁH ½öw«|
Fqx« ›«Ãw¬¬ú ÁfÓR@$

¡ð@ ™HY| Section 5

½™YÎoü öw«| Patent of Introduction
18. Issuance of a patent of Introduction
A Patent of introduction may be issued to an invention
18. ½™YÎoü öw«| which has been patented abroad and not expired but has
not been patented in Ethiopia following a declaration by
o¬úÙ /ÎT öw«| >wWÓ¬ú › ½Õoc Îû±þ¬ú ?? the interested party for which he takes full responsibility
>ëo| ›«Äü/úH o™ü|Âá¿ öw«| ?@wWÓ¬ú ½ëÓR YR
19.Requirements and Conditions for a Patent of
FÐ>Ú >WӍ Fú>ú ‰?íŒ| >Gû¬YÆ G«”¬úH Introduction
W¬ú ½™YÎoü öw«| >üWÓ¬ú Á…?@$ 1.The requirements and conditions for a patent of
introduction shall be the same as those prescribed for
a patent of invention and shall be subject to the same
19. ½™YÎoü öw«| FF±”°… /úŒýz°… formalities.
2.Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (1) here
1. >™YÎoü öw«| ½GûÓ½a FF±”°… /úŒýz°…! in above, an applicant for a patent of introduction
shall indicate on the application the number, date
ñTG>üy°… >ëÓR öw«| »GûÓ½a| ÏT wFXXÁ
and origin of the foreign patent or the requisite
#¬ú $ source of information if he does not know the
2. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) ½wÃŒÎάú oüTH details.
½™YÎoü öw«| ™F@Ÿ… ½¬úܬú« öw«| aÕT
`« H«Ü ¬ÁH ³T³P« ½G¿¬úe Wü<« wë?Îû¬ú
FOÉ >üΖ ½Gû…@o|« H«Ü FÓfH ™>o|$

10
 20. Invalidation of a Patent of Introduction
2§. ½™YÎoü öw«| FKO³ 1. A patent of introduction shall be considered null and
void where the owner of the foreign patent files a
1. o™«`å 11 (2) ½wF>»w¬ú ½™«Æ ¨F| Îû±þ corresponding application before the expiration of the
»G>a oí| ½¬úÙ¬ú öw«| p>oþ| GF@»ƒ Ÿ`Oo
period of one year as provided for in article 11 (2) of this
¬ÁH ¿YÎoü öw«| p>oþx o±ü; ™®Ë ™«`å 21
proclamation or the owner of the patent of introduction
FKO| ëÓR¬ú YR ?Á F®>ú« GOÏÎÕ ¬ÁH ¨Fz-
fails to prove working of the invention or pay the annual
¬ú« ¡ð¿ FëãH Ÿ@ƒ> ½™YÎoü öw«x ®ÏoüY
fee as required under 21 of this proclamation.
¬ÁH ;Ï ¬úÓþ| ½>þ>¬ú ›«Ã<Œ ÁfÓR@$
2. Invalidation of patent of introduction shall be declared
2. ½GûF>»w¬ú ¬Î« oGû¿`To¬ú Õ¿d FKO| by court upon request by an interested party in
½™YÎoü öw«x FKO³ o±ü; ™®Ë ™«`é 36 accordance with the provisions of Article 36 of this
FKO| oð_oþ| Á¬W@$ proclamation

21. ½™YÎoü öw«| Fq| ã«„ ½GûfÁo| Îû±þ 21.Duration of Patent of Introduction
A patent of introduction may be valid for a period that
½™YÎoü öw«x ŸwWÓ ŸZY| ¨F| o=? o½¨Fx p>oþx
ëÓR¬ú MR ?Á F®>ú« › wÎoü¬ú ¨Fz ¡ð¿ F»ë>ú« may extend up to ten years and shall be coupled with the
½GOÏÎÕ ÐÅz¬ú ›«ÃwÓo` <" ½™YÎoü öw«x ã«}
owner's obligation to prove the working of the invention
½Gûf½¬ú ›Y» ™YT ¨F| >üÃTY Á…?@$
each year as from the third year after it has been granted
and to pay the relevant annual fees.

Section 6
Rights and Obligations
¡ð@ YÆY|
22. Rights of Patentee
Fq}… ÐÅz°…
a. A patentee shall have the exclusive right to
make, use or otherwise exploit the patented
22. ½p> öw«x Fq}…
invention. A third party cannot exploit the
1. p>öw«x öw«| ½wWÓ¬ú« ëÓR >FëqO¡ ¬ÁH patented invention without securing the
oWú >FÎ@Î@ ¬ÁH o>þ? G#¬úH F«ÎÆ patentee's consent.
>FÓ`H Fq| ÁO®@$ ZYw” ¬Î… »p>öw«x b. The patentee shall not have import monopoly
ëcÆ Ÿ>Î’ o`T öw«| owWÓo| ëÓR >FÓ`H right over the products of the patented invention in
™Á…>úH$
Ethiopia.

2. p>öw«x o™ü|Âá¿ öw«| ½wWÓ¬ú« ëÓR

¬úÓþ| ¬Ã /ÎT ¬úYÕ ½GYÎp| ½Iù>ü Fq|

11
 ™ÁO¬úH$

23. Fq}…« Y>GБ| 23. Acquisition of Rights

Rights granted to a patentee shall be required and be
½p>öw«x Fq| ½GûΑ¬ú oZYw” ¬Î… ?Á binding on third parties upon the grant of a patent.
wëèGûŒ| ½GûO¬ú öw«| WüYÕ Á<@$

24. p>öw«x Fqx WüŒŸo| ½Gû¬Yìú ›THÉ 24.Patentee's Course of Action Against Infringement
The patentee shall, in addition to any other rights,
o™«`é 2526 29 ›Y» 33 ½wÃŒÎάú ›«ÃwÓo` remedies or actions available to him, have the right
subject to Articles 25, 26, 29, to 33 to institute court
< p>öw«x >üP| »Gû…>ú >þA… Fq}… proceedings against any person who infringes the
¬ÁH >ü¬WÆ »Gû…?#¬ú Fð|:ý°… ¬ÁH patent by performing, without his agreement, any of
›THÉ°… ow×GQ o™«`å 221) ?Á ½wÎ>çú|« the acts referred to in Article 22 (1) or who performs
acts which make it likely that infringement will
G#¬úH ÆTÎû}… ¿>›TWú ëcÆ öw«x« occur.
½GûèOT ¬ÁH Fqx« >üŒ»ú ½Gû…>ú
ÆTÎû}…« oGûëéH G#¬úH W¬ú ?Á oð_oþ|
25. Limitation of Rights
¡Y ½FFMO| Fq| ™>¬ú$
1. The rights of the patentee shall not extend to:
a.. acts done for non-commercial purposes;
25. p> öw«x Fq| ÎÃr…
b. the use of the patented invention solely for the
1. ½p>öw«x Fq| oGû»w>ú| ?Á wëäGûŒ| purpose of scientific research &
™ÁO¬úH" experimentation;
c. acts in respect of patented articles which have
/. «ÐÆ Œ¡ p@<Œú wÐpU… been put on the market in Ethiopia, by the
owner of the patent or with his consent, or
>. öw«| ½wWÓo| ëÓR >XÁ«X HTHT d. the use of patented Articles on aircraft, land
Fú»R°… ¨?G ™Î@ÐA| qƒ ½Gû¬ú@ vehicles or vessels of other countries which
temporarily or accidentally enter into the air
»<Œ!
space, territory , or waters of Ethiopia
B. op>öw«x ¬ÁH oWú ëcÆ ™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ
2. Where the public interest in particular,
oÎo¿ ?Á »®>ú öw«| »wWÔ#¬ú [`Ö… ÏT
national security, nutrition, health or
ow¿¿± F@¡ ½Gû»¬Œú ÆTÎû}… ¬ÁH! the development of other vital sectors
F. >™ÜT Îû±þ ¬ÁH oÆ«Î| ¬Ã ™ü| or the national economy so requires,
the Commission may decide that,
Âá¿ ½™½T! ½HÆT ¬ÁH ½¬ú/°… ¡@@ even without the agreement of the
oGûÎoú ½>þA… ™ÎU… ½™½T ½½qY patentee, a government agency or a
½pDT FÒÒ¸°… ?Á öw«| ½wWÔ#¬ú«
third person designated by the
Commission to exploit the invention
©c°… FÎ@Î@$ subject to the payment of an equitable
2. ½D³q« ÕeH ow>ÁH ½q:ýR Ã;«Œ|! ½HÐq remuneration to the patentee. The
decision of the Commission with
½Óþ ¬ÁH ½>þA… q:ýR ™ü¢Gû ®
regard to the remuneration may be
±Tñ…« ½@G| ð?Ñ| >FÓoe ¢Gû]Œú subject to appeal before the court
¿>p>öw«x ëcÆ ½F«ÐM| ÆTË| ¬ÁH ¢Gû]Œú
½GûWÁF¬ú ZYw” ¬Î« >p>öw«x wÎoü¬ú«
¡ð¿ oFëãH ëÓR¬ú« ›«ÄüÓ`H >ü¬W« Á…?@$
¡ð¿¬ú« oGûF>»| ¢Gû]Œú ½WÓ¬ú ¬úXŒý
>ðTÆ oþ| ÁÐp– >üp@o| Á…?@$

12
26. `ÃH| wÓcGû°… 26. Prior Users

1. GF@»ƒ »wF±Îoo| ¬ÁH ›«Ã™Ðpoú »`ÄGû `« 1. Any person who in good faith, has been using the
invention covered by an application for protection on or
oí| p>¬ú Îû±þ Õoc ›«ÄüÃOÐ oGûÓÁ`¬ú prior to the filing date or, where priority is claimed the
GF@»ƒ ½wÓ`W¬ú« öw«| ½wWÓo|« ëÓR priority date of the application, has a personal right to
oe« @r ÁÎ>Î@o| ½ŒoO G«H W¬ú öw«| continue to use that invention despite the existence of the
patent.
oüTH oëÓR¬ú FÓ`Fú« >F`Ó@ Ð? Fq|
ÁO®@$ 2. The right of prior users referred to in-sub article (1)
herein above may be transferred only together with the
2. »±ü; o?Á o«§úY ™«`å (1) ½wF>»w¬ú enterprise or business, or with that part of the enterprise or
½`ÃH| wÓcGû°… Fq| >üw ?>ð ½Gû…>¬ú business, in which the use or preparations for use have
been made
™Î@ÐAx »GûWÕo| ¬ÁH ™Î@ÐA| ?Á >G®@
³ÐË| »wÃOÎo| ÆTË| ¬ÁH «ÐÆ ¬ÁH »ÆTËx
¬ÁH »«ÐÄú ™Ÿ@ ÏT qƒ Œ¬ú$

27. ½p>öw«x ÐÅz°… 27. Duties of the Patentee

1. The patentee shall have the duties to work the
1. p>öw«x o™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ ëÓR¬ú« YR ?Á patented invention or to authorize other persons to do
½G®@ ¬ÁH oTWú ëcÆ >þA… W°… the same in Ethiopia.
ëÓR¬ú« YR ?Á ›«Äü¿¬ú> ½GÆOÐ ÐÅz
2. The patentee shall work the invention in a scale,
™>o|$
which is adequate and reasonable in the
2. p>öw«x ëÓR¬ú« p>¬ú /úŒýz ob wÎoü
circumstances.
Œ¬ú wqA oGûzF« FÓ« MR ?Á G®@ ™>o|$
28. Reference

The provisions of the section here in above shall

28.wëèGûŒ|
apply mutatis mutandis to patents of introduction.

»±ü; o?Á ½wÃŒÎÎú| ›«Ã½™Ðpoú o™YÎoü öw«}

… ?Á wëèGû Á<>ú$

¡ð@ Wp| Section 7

Compulsory License
½ÐÅz ëcÆ
29. ½ÐÅz ëcÆ GF@»ƒ 29. Application for a Compulsory License

1. `ÃH qA öw«| ½wWÓo|« ëÓR Ÿ@wÓ`F oYw`T 1. The patentee whose invention cannot be worked
effectively without the invention patented earlier may
½RWú« ëÓR oGûÎp wÐpR >ü¿ÃTÐ ¿@ƒ> apply for a compulsory license to use the earlier
p>öw«| `ÃH p>¬ú ëÓR >FÓ`H ½ÐÅz ëcÆ invention.
2. The earlier patentee whose invention cannot be
›«ÄüWÓ¬ú >ü¿F>¡| Á…?@$
worked effectively without the later invention may
2. o=>”¬ú ëÓR Ÿ@wÓ`F oYw`T ½RWú« ëÓR apply for a compulsory license to use the later
invention.
oGûÎp wÐpR >GÆOÐ ¿@ƒ> p>öw«| o
3. Any person who is capable of working a patented
‰>”¬ú ëÓR >FÓ`H ½ÐÅz ëcÆ ›«ÄüWÓ¬ú invention may apply for a compulsory license,where

13
 >ü¿F>¡| Á…?@$ the patentee fails, without legitimate reason to justify
his in action to work his invention in Ethiopia, after
3. p>öw«x ¿>ob H¡«¿| ëÓR¬ú« o™ü|
the expiration of a period of three years from the date
Âá¿ ¬úYÕ o™ÕÏoü /úŒýz wÐpR X¿ÃTÐ of grant of the patent or four years from the date of
öw«x »wWÓo| `« ÈHU ZY| ¨F| ¬ÁH ½öw«x grant of filing of the patent application which ever
expires last.
GF@»ƒ »wF±Îoo| `« ÈHU ™R| ¨F| »/ú>x
±ÐÁ} ½GûëãF¬ú Ÿ>ë o=? ëÓR¬ú« oMR ?Á
>G®@ …Az ¿>¬ú G«”¬úH W¬ú ½ÐÅz ëcÆ
›«ÄüWÓ¬ú >ü¿F>¡| Á…?@$

30. ½ÐÅz ëcÆ Y>FYÓ| 30.Grant of Compulsory License

1. ¢Gû]Œú Õ¿d¬ú qa < Wü¿Î‘¬ú ½ÐÅz ëcÆ 1. Where the Commission finds the request to be
satisfactory, it shall grant a compulsory license.
ÁWÔ@$ 2. The grant of a compulsory license shall not exclude
2. ½ÐÅz ëcÆ FYÓ| ½öw«| p>oþx oëÓR¬ú the exploitation of the invention, the conclusion of
license contracts by the owner of the patent or the grant
›«ÄÁÓ`H! ½ëcÆ ¬ú@ ›«ÄÁÎp ¬ÁH >þA…
of other compulsory licenses.
½ÐÅz ëcÇ… ›«ÄÁWÓú ™Á»>»@H" 3. The decision made by the Commission to grant a
compulsory license shall be registered and announced
3. ¢Gû]Œú ½ÐÅz ëcÆ >FYÓ| ½Gû¿ÃTάú
in the official gazette.
¬úXŒý wF³Ðr oœíWþ? ϱþÔ ÁÎ>ä@$

31. »™F@Ÿ ½Gûë>άú GYOÉ 31. Proof Required of the Applicant

The person requesting for a compulsory license to
exploit an invention shall furnish proof that he has
öw«| owWÓo| ëÓR >FÓ`H ½ÐÅz ëcÆ not been able to conclude a license contract with
›«ÄüWÓ¬ú ½GûÓÁe W¬ú »p>öw«x ÏT wÎoü the patentee for the exploitation of the invention
/úŒýz°…« ½¿± oëÓR¬ú >FÓ`H ½ëcÆ ¬ú@ on reasonable terms.

>FÐp| ¿ÄÎw¬ú >F<Œú GYOÉ GeOq ™>o|$ 32. Limitation of Rights of Licensee

1. Any person who is granted compulsory license

32. ½ëcÆ w`pÁ Fq}… ¬W«
for the exploitation of a patented invention shall
not have an exclusive right of over the invention
1. öw«| owWÓ¬ú ëÓR ?Á ½ÐÅz ëcÆ ½wWÓ¬ú and shall no have a right to authorize exploitation
G«”¬úH W oëÓR¬ú ?Á q#” Fq| ½>¬úH! by any other person.
2. The licensee shall have the right to exploit the
>þ? NYw” ¬Î« ›«ÄüÓ`Ho| >Fð`ÆH Fq|
patented invention in Ethiopia according to the
™ÁO¬úH$ terms set out in the decision granting the licensee,
and shall commence the working of the patented
2. ëcÆ owWÓo| ¬úLŒý ?Á ow±O±P| /úŒýz°…
invention within the time limit fixed in the said
FKO| öw«| ½wWÓo|« ëÓR ™üÂá¿ ¬úYÕ YR ? decision.
Á >G®@ Fq| ÁO®@$ ¬úXŒý¬ú oWÓ¬ú
½Îû±þ ÎÃq ¬úYÕH öw«| ½wWÓo|« ëÓR
wÐpR GÆOÐ FÈFT ÁToz@$
33. ½FÓ`Gû¿ ¡ð¿ 33. Exploitation Fee

1. ½ÐÅz ëcÆ ½wWÓ¬ú W¬ú >p>öw«x wÎoü 1. Any person who is granted a compulsory
license shall pay the patentee a reasonable
½FÓ`Gû¿ ¡ð¿ SðìU ™>o|$ ½FÓ`Gû¿¬ú exploitation fee, the amount of which shall be
¡ð¿ FÓ« o/ú>x ¬Î… YHHŒ| Á¬W@$ fixed by both parties.

14
 2. /ú>xH ¬Î… o¡ð¿¬ú FÓ« XÁYGFú Wü`T
3. Where the parties disagree on the amount of
¢Gû]Œú FÓŒú« Á¬Y@$
fee, it shall be fixed by the Commission.

Section 8
¡ð@ YH«|
Termination, Surrender and Invalidation of a patent.
½öw«| FgOÕ" Fw¬ú › FKO³
34. Termination of a Patent
34.½öw«| FgOÕ A patent shall terminate if:

™«Æ öw«| `ÕA »w±O±P| ™«Äú /úŒýz WüT

1. The patentee surrenders it by a written
declaration to the Commission or
ÁgOÔ@" 2. The annual fee is not paid in due time.
1. p>öw«x öw«x« ½w¬ F<Œú« oå/úð >
¢Gû]Œú Wü¿L¬úe ¬ÁH

2. ½Fq| Gf¿ ¡ð¿¬ú ow¬WŒ¬ú ½Îû±þ ÎÃq

¬úYÕ ¿@wëãF Wü<«$
35. ½öw«| Fw¬ú 35.Surrender of a Patent

1. ½öw«| Fw¬ú ™«Æ ¬ÁH »™«Æ o?Á o<Œú Surrender of a patent:

½öw«| Fq| Õ¿d°… ?Á ½w¬WŒ >ü<« Á…?
1. May be limited to one or more claims of the
@"
patent,
2. ½öw«| Fw¬ú o¢Gû]Œú ¬Äü¿¬úŒú wF³Ðr z|
2. Shall be immediately registered and
ሞ Á¬Ô@"
published by the Commission, and
3. öw«x o¬ú@ w?@ñ »<Œ ½öw«x Fw¬ú
3. Which has been subjected to a license shall
¬úÓþ| ½GûO¬ú ½wF±Îo¬ú ½¬ú@ w`pÁ
only take effect upon the submission of a
öw«x« Y>Fw¬ú ½wYGG F<Œú« »Î>ç qƒ
declaration by which the registered licensee
Á<@$
consents to the surrender.

36. ½öw«| FWO³ 36. Invalidation of a Patent

1. A patent shall be invalidated in whole or in part
1. ½GûF>»w¬ú ¬Î« oGû¿`To¬ú Õ¿d FKO| ðTÆ by the court upon request by an interested party if
oþx »Gû»w>ú| /úŒýz°… ™«Äú »wOÏÎÓ it is proved that:
oF>ú ¬ÁH o»í@ öw«x« ÁWT²@$

/. öw«| ½wÓ½`o| ŒÎT o±ü; ™®Ë ™«`é 3 › 4 a) The subject matter of the patent is not
FKO| öw«| >üWÕo| ½GÁ…@ < WüΖ" patentable according to Articles 3 and 4 of

>. ëÓR¬ú oGûoc FÓ« Ð@å Fú>ú o<Œ this proclamation;

F@¡ p>FÎ>çú oFY»ú >W>ÓŒ W¬ú b) The description does not disclose the
owÐpT >FwTÑH ½G¿Y…@ Wü<«" invention in a manner sufficiently clear

15
 2. o»í@ ¬ÁH oFú>ú ½wWO± öw«| ®ÏoüY < & complete for it to be carried out by a
½GûfÓO¬ú öw«x »wWÓo| `« ÈHU Á<@$ person skilled in the art.
2. Any invalidated patent in whole or in part
shall be deemed void from the date of grant
of the patent.

37. wëäGûŒ| 37. References

The provisions of Articles 34-36 shall apply mutatis
»™«`é 3436 ½wÓ`Wú| ™«`ê… >™YÎoü öw«} mutandis to the termination, surrender and invalidation of
… FgOÕ" Fw¬ú ¬ÁH FWO³ patents of introduction.
›«Ã½™ÐpqŒz#¬ú ¿Î>Ð?>ú$

H©Rð NY| CHAPTER THREE

½Ð@ÏA| IÅA… WT|ð»þ| UTILITY MODELS CERTIFICATES
38. Protection of Minor Inventions
38. ½™ŒYw” ëÓR Õoc
62. 1. A minor invention that possesses novelty and
1. ™ÄüYŒ| ™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ wÐpRŒ| industrial applicability shall give rise to a right to
protection in favor of the author there of.
¿>¬ú ™ŒYw” ëÓR >™F«Ù¬ú ½Õoc 2. The right shall be evidenced by a utility model
Fq| ¿YΔ@$ certificate issued by the Commission.
2. ½Õoc Fqx ¢Gû]Œú oGûWÓ¬ú 3.The grant of the certificate shall confer the
½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ WTwí»þ| ÁOÏÎÔ@$ exclusion right to exploit the minor invention and
3. WTwí»þ| FWÓx o™ŒYw” íÓR¬ú prevent third parties from exploiting the minor
>FÓ`H › NYw” ¬Î… ¿> KTwí»þ| ¿¶ invention without the authorization of the certificate
ëcÆ o™ŒYw” ëÓR¬ú ›«ÄÁÓ`Fú
>F»?»@ ½Gû¿Y…@ q#” Fq|
¿Ñéî@$

39. ½™ÄüYŒ| ™>FT 39. Non-existence of novelty

1. A minor invention shall not be considered new if,
1. ™ŒYw” ëÓR¬ú GF@»ƒ¬ú owF±Îoo| at the time of filing the application, it has already
`« o™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ ozwFú é/úñ… ?Á `ÃH
been described in printed publications, made
Wü@ ½wÎ>é! ¬ÁH >D³q ½`Oo ¬ÁH oÁî
available to the public or has already been publicly
ÕeH ?Á ½®> »<Œ ›«Ã™ÄüY ™ÁfÓTH$
used in Ethiopia.
2. o™F@Ÿ MR ?Á wFYT} GF@»ƒ¬ú
2. Any description or use, within six months prior to
»FF³Îoú »YÆY| ¬R| ™Y`ÆI FÎ>çú ÕeH ?
the filing of the application, shall not destroy

16
 Á F®>ú Ы ™ÄüYŒx« ™¿Y`O¬úH$ novelty if it is based on the work of the applicant.

40. oÐ@ÏA| IÅ@ WT|ð»þ| Õoc ½GÁÃOÐ?#¬ú 40. Things not Protected by Utility Model Certificate

½Gû»w>ú| oÐ@ÏA| IÅ@ WTwð»þ| Õoc ™ÁÃOÐ? The following shall not be protected by utility model
certificate:
#¬úH" 1. Changes in the shape, proportions or material

1. öw«| ½wWÓo| ¬ÁH ½D³q «qO|

of a patented object or of one that is public

½<Œ« ŒÎT ½`ÆI Á±|! ÓpÁ ¬ÁH wÐpT property, except where such a change alters the
`ÁU o™Óc`F ¬ÁH oz>Fú>| wÐpU… ?Á qualities or functions or the object thereby
F\\@« ½Gû¿Y»|@ Ÿ@<Œ oYw`T oeTé! producing an improvement in its use or the
oFÓ« ¬ÁH oG{Q¿@ F@¡ ½GûÃOÎú effects of its intended functions;
>¬úÖ…" 2. The mere replacement of elements in a known
2. ½z¬a «ÕO ŒÎU…« Õ«eT wFXXÁ wÐpT combinations by other known elements having
p?#¬ú >þA… ½z¬a «ÕO ŒÎU… ½FwŸ| an equivalent function, which does not thereby
Á;H oGûΑ¬ú ÕeH ¬ÁH ™KRT ?Á H«H produce an improvement in its use or the effect
™ÁŒ| F\\@ ½G¿YΖ Wü<«"
of its intended functions; or
3. >D³q W?H YŒHÐpT wèRQ ½<Œú 3. Minor inventions that are contrary to public
™ŒYw” ëÓR°…$
order or morality.

41. HTFR 41. Examination

The Commission shall undertake a formal
¢Gû]Œú oGF@»ƒ¬ú ?Á ½ñTG>üy HTFR
examination of the application and decide to
oGÆOÐ ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ WT|ð»þ| ›«ÄüWÕ ¬ÁH
allow or refuse the grant of utility model
›«ÄÁWÕ Á¬Y@$
certificate.
42. ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KTwð»þ| Y>FYÓ| 42. Issuance of Utility Model Certificate
Where the Commission decides to grant utility
¢Gû]Œú ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ WTwð»þ| >FYÓ| Wü¬Y«
model certificate it shall issue a utility model
>™F@Ÿ ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KT|ð»þ| ÁWÔ@$
certificate to the application.

43. ½öw«| GF@»ƒ › ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ GF@»ƒ« 43. Conversion of Patent Applications to
Y>G>®¬Õ Applications for Utility Model Certificates and
Vice-Versa.
1. ½öw«| ™F@Ÿ öw«| >FYÓ| ¬ÁH ?
1. At any time before the grant or refusal of a patent
>FYÓ| »F¬WŒú oí| p>¬ú G#¬úH
Îû±þ ½GûÓ½`¬ú« ¡ð¿ oFëçH an applicant for a patent may, upon payment of

GF@»ƒ¬ú« ¬Ã Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KTwð»þ| the prescribed fee, convert his application into an
GF@»ƒ >ü`ÁT Á…?@$ GF@»ƒ¬ú application for a utility model certificate, which
½FÈFQ¿¬ú GF@»ƒ ½H³Îp `« shall be accorded the filing date of the initial
ÁWÓ®@" 2. At any time the grant or refusal of a utility model
2. ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KTwð»þ| ™F@Ÿ certificate, an applicant for a utility model

17
 ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KTwð»þ| >FYÓ| ¬ÁH ? certificate may, upon payment of the prescribed
>FYÓ| »F¬WŒú oí| p>¬ú G#¬úH fee convert his application into a patent
Îû±þ ½GûÓ½`¬ú« ¡ð¿ oFëçH application, which shall be accorded the filling
GF@»ƒ¬ú« ¬Ã öw«| GF@»ƒ >ü`ÁT
date of the initial application.
Á… ?@$ GF@»ƒ¬ú ½FÈFQ¿¬ú
3. An application may not be converted more than
GF@»ƒ ½H³Îp `« ÁWÓ®@$
once under the provisions of sub-article (1) and
3. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) › (2)
(2) of this article.
½GûÃOάú ½GF@»ƒ >¬úÕ »™«Æ
Îû±þ o?Á ™Á<«H$

44. ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ WT|ð»þ| Fq| ã«} ½GûfÁo| 44. Duration of Utility Model Certificate
Îû±þ 1. A utility model certificate is granted for a
period of five years, which may be renewed
1. ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ WT|ð»þ|
for a further five years period provided that
½GûWÓ¬ú >™HY| ™F| Wü<«
proof is furnished that the minor invention is
™ŒYw” ëÓR¬ú o™ü|Âá¿ ¬úYÕ
being worked in Ethiopia.
MR ?Á ›½®> F<Œú« ½Gû¿YOÄ
2. Application for renewal of the certificate
GYOÉ Wü`Tq WT|ð»þx >w×GQ
shall be filed, with the Commission within 90
™HY| ™Fz| >üzÃY Á…?@$
days prior to the expiration of the period of
2. KTwð»þx« >GXÃY ½Gû`To¬ú
protection upon payment of the prescribed
GF@»ƒ ™Yë?Îû¬ú« ¡ð¿ oFëçH fees.
½Õoc ±FŒú »Gqcx »±Ó `| oí|
>¢Gû]Œú Á`Tp@$

45. wëäGûŒ| 45. Reference

u²=I ›ªÏ ¾U^õ G<Kƒ É”ÒÑ@‹ ”ž›Ñvu< The relevant provisions in chapter two of this
uÓMÒKAƒ VÈM c`}òŸ?„‹ Là }ðíT>’ƒ Õ^†ªM:: proclamation shall apply mutatis mutandis to
utility models certificates
.
H©Rð ™R| CHAPTER FOUR
™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æñ… INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
46. Protection of Industrial Designs
46. ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð Õoc
1. An Industrial Design shall be protected under
1. ™ÄüYŒ| wÐpR wëèGûŒ| ¿>¬ú this proclamation if it id new and possesses
™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð o±ü; ™®Ë FKO| Õoc practical applicability.
ÁÃOÐ>z@$
2. In accordance with the provisions of sub-article
2. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) FKO| ™«Æ (1) of this article an industrial design shall be:
™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð"
a) considered new when the sum total of its
/. ™ÄüY Œ¬ú ½Gûp>¬ú ½«Æì ® ® essential features is different from that of

18
 pDQ¿| u›=ƒÄåÁ ¬ÁH o¬úÙ »z¬a another design known in Ethiopia or
wFXXÁ «Æñ… ½w>½ › »H³Îp `« abroad and has not been disclosed for
¬ÁH ›«ÄÐpoú »`ÄGû `« oí| p>¬ú more than one year before the date of
™«Æ ¨F| Îû±þ ¬úYÕ ¿@wÎ>ç Wü<«
filing of the application for registration or,
Œ¬ú$ o«Æñ FŸ»@ ¿>ú ½w>¾
where appropriate, before the priority
Îéz°… @¾Œ| oÕce« ³T³U… »<Œ
date. Designs shall be deemed to be
wFX\Á #¬ú wq>¬ú Á¬WÄ>ú$
identical if their specific features differ
>. wÐpR wëèGûŒ| ™>¬ú ½Gûp>¬ú
only in immaterial details.
™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì HT}…« owÃÏÏGû
b) deemed to possess practical applicability
>G¬Ô| oIÅ@Œ| >GÎ@Î@ ½Gû…@
if it is capable of serving as a model for
Wü<« Œ¬ú$
repeated manufacture of products.
3. >D³q W?H ¬ÁH MŒHÐpT wèRQ ½<Œ
3. An industrial design that is contrary to
™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð ™ÁF±ÎqH$
public order or morality shall not be
4. {¡ŒûŸ ¬úÓþ}…«KTÓ–ƒ w‰ KT>¨<K< T”—
†¨<U ’Ña‹ o±ü; ™®Ë >™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ registered.
«Æñ… ½GûWÓ¬ú Õoc ™ÁWÕH$
These protection under this chapter shall not extend to
anything in an industrial design which serves solely to
obtain a technical result

47. GF@»ƒ 47. Application

1. An application for registration of an
1. ™«Æ« ™ü«ÄüY|Q¿ «Æð >GYF³Îq GF@»ƒ
industrial design shall be filed with the
½Gû`To¬ú >¢Gû]Œú Á<@$
Commission.
2. GF@»ƒ¬ú ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð Õoc ÁWÓ–
2. The application shall contain a request, a
Õ¿d"½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì« ¿`ë HT| Fú ¬ÁH
specimen of the article embodying the
½«Æì« Y©? ™HX¿ «Æì >ü¿Î>Ð@
industrial design or a pictorial
½z`ìú« ½HT| ¨ÁŒ| F¿³ ÁToz@$
presentation thereof and an indication of
3. GF@»ƒ¬ú o™«Æ HT| ¬úYÕ ½GûŸw|
the kind of products for which the
™«Æ« «Æð ¬ÁH wFXXÁŒ| p?#¬ú
o™«ÆŒ| oGû[Óú ¬ÁH oÕeH ?Á industrial design is to be used.
oGû¬ú>ú HT}… ?Á ½GûÎoú /ú>| 3. The application shall relate to one design
»±ü¿ o?Á ½<Œú «Æñ…« ÁÁ²@$ incorporated in one product or two or
4. »GF@»ƒ¬ú ÏT ½wFÃo¬ú ¡ð¿ Á»ë?@$ more designs incorporated in products
belonging to the same class and sold or
used in sets.
4. The application shall be accompanied by
payment of the prescribed fees

48.Examination and Registration

48. HTFR H³Îp
1. The Commission shall examine
1. ¢Gû]Œú GF@»ƒ¬ú ½±ü; ¨®Ë ™«`é 2 (2) whether the application complies with the

19
 › ™«`é 47 ›«Äü/úH o±ü; ¨®Ë FWO| requirements of Article 2(2) and 47 of this
oGû¬Ô¬ú ëq ½Gû±O±P FF±”°€ GJ?x« proclamation and the regulations issued
ÁFOHR@$ there under.
2. ¢Gû]Œú o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é 1 2. When the Commission is satisfied
½wF>»x| FF±”°… FJ?z#¬ú« ŸOÏÎÓ o=? that the requirements of the above sub-
½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð ½H³Îp ½HY¡T ¬O`x
article are fulfilled, a certificate of
Ãc×M:: ½H³Îp HY¡T ¬O`xH"
registration of an industrial design shall be

/. G. ½«Æð MR¬ú ™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð F<Œú«! issued and shall certify:

>. K. ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì« `ÄGûŒ|! a) The recognition of the design as an

industrial design,

B. N. ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì« KRw” G«Œ| b) the priority of the industrial design,

p>oþx o™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì ?Á ¿>¬ú« q#” c) The authorship of the industrial design
Fq| F¿³ ™>o|$
and the exclusive right of the owner of the
certificate thereof.

49. oH³Îp¬ú ½GûÎ’ Fq}… 49. Rights Conferred by Registration

The owner of a certificate of registration of an
½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð H³Îp KTwð»þ| p>oþ| o«Æì
industrial design shall have the exclusive right
>FMR|" ¬ÁH >FÎ@Î@ ¬ÁH o>þ? G#¬úH
to make, use or otherwise exploit the industrial
™Ÿÿ=« >FÓ`H q#” Fq| ÁO®@$
design.

50. Duration of Industrial Design Protection

50. ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð Fq| ã«} ½GûfÁo| 1. The protection granted to an industrial design
Îû±þ shall be valid for a period of five years from the
filing date of the application for registration. Such
1. >™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð ½GûWÓ¬ú Õoc ã«}
period may be extended for two extensions of five
½Gûf½¬ú ½H³Îp GF@»ƒ¬ú »wF±Îoo| `«
years each if proof is furnished that the industrial
™«Y} >™HY| ¨Fz| Á<@$ <H Ы
design is being used in Ethiopia.
½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æì ›=ƒÄåÁ ¨<eØ Y^ LÃ
2. Application for renewal of protection shall be
¾ªK SJ’< c=[ÒÑØ ½™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð Fq|
filed with the Commission within 90 days prior to
>w×GQ /ú>| ™HY| ™Fz| >üR±H Á…?@$
the expiration of the period of protection upon
2. ½Õoc Îû±þ¬ú ›«ÄüR±H ½GûÓÁ`¬ú
payment of the prescribed fees.
GF@»ƒ ™Yë?Îû¬ú ¡ð¿ wëåI >¢Gû]Œú
½Gû`To¬ú ½Õoc ±FŒú »Gqcx »±Ó `| oí|
Á<@$

51.Reference
51. wëäGûŒ| The relevant provisions in Chapter Two of this
½±ü; ™®Ë H©Rð /ú>| Æ«ÏÎý°… ›«Ã½™Ðpoú proclamation shall apply mutants mutandis, to
>™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æñ… wëäGûŒ| ÁR#®@$

20
 industrial designs.

H©Rð ™HY| CHAPTER FIVE

@¾ @¾ Æ«ÏÎý°… MISCELLANEOUS
52. Extension of Time
52. ½Îû±þ FR±H
If the Commission is satisfied that the circumstances
¢Gû]Œú oå/úð WüÓ½e o/úŒýz¬ú Wü¿H« justify it, it may, upon receiving a written request,
o±ü; ™®Ë oëoú FKO| >GûëçFú G#¬úH extend the time for doing any act or taking any
ÆTÎû}… ¬ÁH >Gû¬WÄú THÉ°… ½wF>»w¬ú proceeding under this proclamation ant the
½Îû±þ ÎÃq ½GûF>»z#¬ú« ZYw” ¬Î… regulation s issued there under, upon notice to the
oGX¬e wÎoü¬ú« FFQ¿ oFYÓ| ›«ÄüR±H parties concerned and upon such terms as it may
>ü¿ÃTÐ Á…?@$ ½Îû±þ GR±Gû¿¬ú ¬úXŒýH direct. The extension may be granted though the
wÐpP« >G»¬« ¬ÁH THɬú« >F¬úWÆ dime for doing the act or taking the proceeding has
½GûÓ½`¬ú ½Îû±þ ÎÃq Ÿ>ë o=? >üWÕ Á…? expired.
@$

53. ëq Y>G¬úÔ| 53. Issuance of Regulations

1. Regulations and directives may be issued for the
1. Á;« ™®Ë wÐpR >GÆOÐ ½GûOÄú ër…
implementation of this proclamation.
FFQ¿°… >ü¬Óú ËLK<$
2. The regulations shall in particular provide for the
2. ëoú ow>ÁH öw«| ½Ð@ÏA| IÅ@ KT|ð»þ| payment of fees in connection with applications for the
›«ÄüWÕ ™ü«ÄúY|Q¿ «Æð ›«ÄüF±Îq »Gû`Toú grant of patents and utility model certificates and for the
GF@»ƒ°… ›«Äü/úH »>þA… w²GË ÎúÄÂ… ÏT registration of industrial designs and matters related
½w¿¿²< ¡ð¿°…« Á¬Y@$ thereto.

54. o¢Gû]Œú ¬úXŒý ?Á Y>Gû`Tq ÁÐp– 54. Appeal Against the Decision of the Commission
1. o±ü; ¨®Ë ™Ðpq p?#¬ú Æ«ÏÎý°… ½wF>»x| 1. Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of this
›«ÃwÓoa <Œ¬ú ¢Gû]Œú oGûWÓ¬ú proclamation a party aggrieved by any decision of the
G#¬úH ¬úXŒý eT ½wW‘ ¬Î« ÁÐp– Commission made pursuant to this proclamation and
>ðTÆ oþ| GeOq Á…?@$ the regulations issued there under may appeal to the
court.
2. 2. o±ü; ™«`é «§úY ™«`é (1) FWO| ¢Gû]Œú 2. An appeal against the decision of the Commission in
oGûWÓ¬ú G#¬úH ¬úXŒý ÁÐp– accordance with the provisions of sub-article (1) of this
½Gû`To¬ eT ½wW‘¬ú ¬Î« ¬XŒý¬ú article shall be submitted within 60 days from the date
»ÃOW¬ú Îû±þ ™«Y} p>ú| 60 `| ¬úYÕ of receipt of the decisions by the aggrieved party.

Á<@$

55. ™®Éú ½Gûão| Îû±þ 55. Effective Date

This Proclamation shall come into force on the date of its
Á; ™®Ë oŒÏQ| ϱþÔ z|I »¬Ôo| `« ÈHU ½ã
proclamation in the Negarit Gazeta.
Á<@$
Done at Addis Ababa, this 10th day of May 1995
™ÄüY ™op Ыr| 2 `« 19)87 ¨.H.

21
 F>Y ±þ MELES ZENAWI
½™ü|Âá¿ ]ÐÐT F«ÐM| PRESIDENT OF
‘S±üÄ«| THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
OF ETHIOPIA

22