aripo.org Patent Application Online Filing Zimbabwe : Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation

Organization : Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation
Type of Facility : Patent Application Online Filing
Country: Zimbabwe

Website : http://www.aripo.org/index.php/services/patents
Online Filing : http://eservice.aripo.org/pmi/PMIMain.do

Patent Application Online Filing :

Patent:
A patent for an invention is granted to the inventor, giving the inventor the right for a limited period to stop others from making, using or selling the invention without the permission of the inventor.

Related : Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation Search IP Information Online : www.statusin.org/9357.html

When a patent is granted, the invention becomes the property of the inventor, which – like any other form of property or business asset – can be bought, sold, rented or hired. Patents are territorial rights.

What kinds of things do patents cover?:
Patents are generally intended to cover products or processes that possess or contain new functional or technical aspects; patents are therefore concerned with, for example, how things work, what they do, how they do it, what they are made of or how they are made.The vast majority of patents are for incremental improvements in known technology; it has been said that innovation is evolution rather than revolution.

Are there any special conditions that an invention must fulfill?:
To be patentable your invention must:
Be new:
The invention must never have been made public in any way, anywhere in the world, before the date on which an application for a patent is filed.

Involve an inventive step:
An invention involves an inventive step if, when compared with what is already known, it would not be obvious to someone with a good knowledge and experience of the subject.

Be capable of industrial application:
An invention must be capable of being made or used in some kind of industry. This means that the invention must take the practical form of an apparatus or device, a product such as some new material or substance or an industrial process or method of operation.

“Industry” is meant in its broadest sense as anything distinct from purely intellectual or aesthetic activity. It does not necessarily imply the use of a machine or the manufacture of an article. Agriculture is included.

Articles or processes alleged to operate in a manner clearly contrary to well-established physical laws, such as perpetual motion machines, are regarded as not having industrial application.

How to apply for a Patent?:
1.1. Filing of Applications:
Applications for grant of patents can be lodged at the Industrial Property Office of any Contracting State, referred to as the Receiving Office or directly with ARIPO. An applicant need not be represented by a patent attorney, when lodging an application. However, an applicant whose ordinary residence or principal place of business is outside the Contracting State in which lodging is done, must be so represented. Filing can be by personal delivery or by registered mail.

1.2. Request for Grant:
The request must be made on ARIPO Form No. 3 obtainable from any Contracting State. Applications lodged without Form No. 3 could be accepted provided there is an indication that the request is made for grant of a patent under the protocol with at least one Designated State. However, Form No. 3 will have to be submitted as soon as possible, thereafter. (Annex I) [R 5(5); I 16]

1.3. Numbering of the Application:
The ARIPO application on receipt is accorded the application number, the date of receipt and marked with a Receiving Office Official Stamp. The application number consists of a two letter Country Code of the Receiving Office, a forward slash, the letter AP, a slant, the letter P, a slant, the digit year in which the application is lodged, a slant and the number allotted internally by the Receiving Office. For example in case of Zimbabwe being the Receiving Office the numbering would be

Contact:
Africa Regonal Intellectual Property Organisation
Head Office 11 Natal Road,
Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe

E-mail: mail@aripo.org