Trademark Gateway LLC is a Raleigh US based Sub-Saharan African access point trademark filing service affiliated with the Law Offices of Funmi Shonekan, Esq., based in Lagos, Nigeria. Trademark Gateway LLC is a digital trademark filing service with a global reach tailored to meet your business needs.

Our vision is to become a trusted partner and access point for international brands, professionals, businesses, and investors seeking to protect their brands in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan African region. We are on a mission to provide a positive experience for our clients through excellence in service delivery. We hope that a positive trademark registration experience will facilitate a gradual influx of investors and the resulting economic growth to the sub region. Our goal is to re-write the narrative by raising the standard and serving as a trailblazer on efficiency as core, to business processes. We know the market up close. We know what works as well as the pitfalls. At Trademark Gateway LLC, our service model optimizes what works, while deploying adequate risk mitigating techniques to assure our client’s success.

With efficiency as our watch word, we leverage excellence in customer service delivery to achieve satisfactory results. Our goal is to win your trust, thereby becoming a key partner in your success as you venture across the Sub-Saharan region for establishment and anchorage of your goodwill.

So, why not reach out to us today for a free consultation. Or fill out our inquiry form here and someone from our team of experts will get back to you within 24 hours.

Trademarks in Nigeria: The Registration Process

• Step 1: The Availability Search
  Why is a search important? An applicant can spot any similar or identical marks as well as any potential objections which may arise. We recommend this first step as a “must-do” due diligence prior to filing your trademark application.
• Step 2: The Application Filing
  Once your search result returns successful, you can proceed with the application filing. The Registrar issues an acknowledgement to indicate receipt of your trademark application. Once the application is accepted, a confirmation letter which will have the application number and date listed on it. The date is important because it establishes a right to priority in the trademark.
• Step 3: The Examination
  During this phase, the examiner determines whether the trademark is registrable. This means they determine whether there are inaccuracies, whether the legal and technical standards are met, whether the morality test is satisfied and whether the mark, aligns with public interest. If the registrar determines that the application is satisfactory, the mark is accepted, a notice of acceptance is issued. Normally, the acceptance form is issued within 3-4 weeks from the time of acknowledgement.
• Step 4: The Publication
  Accepted trademarks are then published in the Trademark Journal for public consumption. Publication period lasts for two months.
• Step 5: The Opposition
  The publication period mentioned above is a period where third parties can raise a notice of opposition to the mark. This period cannot be extended. If a notice of opposition is filed, the matter is set for a hearing where parties must submit supporting evidence and proofs. The Registrar then enters a decision, which is subject to appeal at the Federal High Court. The decision at the Federal High Court is final.
• Step 6: The Registration
  In the absence of an opposition, or upon successful outcome of the opposition, the trademark is registered, and a Certificate of Registration is issued.

Cost Implications for New Registration:
Compared to other jurisdictions such as the US, the cost of obtaining a trademark in Nigeria ranges from USD 200 to USD 750 including filing and lawyer’s professional fees.

The Duration of Registration
Initial registration of a trademark registration is valid for seven years. It is renewable for fourteen years with cost considerations ranging from USD 200 – USD 500. Bear in mind that the original Certificate of Registration must be presented for initial renewals while subsequent renewals would require previously issued renewal certificate.

Our Service Process:

• International Class Identification: We advise on the appropriate international class for your goods or services.
• Trademark Availability Search: We conduct our due diligence via availability search to determine whether your proposed trademark is available for filing.
• The Application for Registration: If the proposed mark is available, we prepare and submit your trademark application to the Nigerian Trademark Office.
• Trademark Opposition Period: We handle any objections potentially put forward by third parties during the application process.
• The Grant: When your application is approved, your trademark is finally granted. This is denoted by a registration certificate issued by the Nigerian Trademark Office. We receive the certificate and mail to you by courier service.
• Internationalization: Through our structured network of international associates, we can facilitate your entry or expansion goals into new markets through national, regional, or international registrations
• Trademark Watch: We provide post-registration brand management through our Trademark Watch services which allows us assist in maintaining the integrity of your rights. We maintain surveillance of the market to protect and enforce your rights as necessary.
• Renewal: Each trademark registration is valid for a period of 10 years, then it’s due for renewal. We maintain your right by filing for renewal at the 10-year mark at your request.