ARIPO’s Amendment of the Banjul Protocol on Marks: Key Reforms Taking Effect from 1 March 2026
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has adopted amendments to the Banjul Protocol on Marks, together with its Implementing Regulations, prescribed Forms, and Official Fees. The reforms will enter into force on 1 March 2026 and, where applicable, will affect new trademark applications, pending matters, and existing registrations under the ARIPO regional trademark system.
These amendments strengthen the ARIPO trademark framework by enhancing procedural clarity, improving administrative efficiency, and providing more detailed guidance on filing and post-filing processes.
1. Revision of ARIPO Official Fees
A headline change is the upward revision of ARIPO official fees payable throughout the process.
| Fee Type | New 2026 Fee (US$) | Previous Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application (Paper filing) | 200 | 100 |
| Application (Electronic filing) | 160 | 80 |
| Designation (per state, additional class) | 20 | 10 |
| Registration (per state, 1st class) | 150 | 100 |
| Renewal (per state, 1st class) | 200 | 100 |
| Hard Copy Registration Certificate | 100 | N/A |
| Extra Word Fee (beyond 50 words) | 10 | 5 |
| Appeals | 500 | N/A |
2. Substantive and Procedural Refinements
The 2026 amendments introduce practical updates to the way ARIPO trademark matters are processed, especially in relation to timelines, deadline calculations, and opposition management:
- Refusal timeline shortened: Designated states now have six (6) months (previously nine (9) months) from the date of notification to issue a refusal. This is likely to speed up prosecution and make timely monitoring more important.
- Clearer deadline calculations: The Regulations provide more detailed guidance on how procedural time periods are calculated, including periods stated in years, months, weeks, or days, bringing greater certainty when managing deadlines.
- Oppositions and new transmittal fee: An opposition may be brought by an interested party once a mark is published in the ARIPO Marks Journal and before it proceeds to registration. Oppositions are lodged with ARIPO, which then forwards them to the applicant and the relevant designated states. A USD 100 transmittal fee applies, and the opposition will only be treated as valid once the prescribed fees have been paid.
- Withdrawal following ADR settlement: Where the parties resolve the dispute through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the opposition may be withdrawn, in line with the applicable national law.
3. How We Can Assist
We advise on ARIPO trademark filings, renewals, recordals, and oppositions under the Banjul Protocol on Marks. We can review your portfolio for upcoming deadlines and fee exposure, support pre-1 March 2026 planning where appropriate, and ensure post-effective date compliance with the 2026 forms and ARIPO online filing.
