Designs and Models

– Industrial Designs Act 1974, effective since July 20, 1999.

Filing and Protection

Applicant: the first inventor. 

Not registrable: if the consequences of the use of the design would be contrary to public order or morality.

Examination: as to formalities and unity of invention. There is no examination as to novelty, and no substantive examination.

Beginning of protection: from the date of application. 

Duration: five years from the date of application.

Renewal: for two periods of five years each.

Assignment: together with or without the goodwill of the business.

Use of an industrial design: not compulsory.

Opposition: any person may oppose an application within three months of publication of the acceptance notice in the Gazette.

Filing requirements for an application (to be sent to resident agent):
1. Full particulars of the applicant;
2. Legalized power of attorney;
3. Sample or photograph or colored drawings of the industrial design;
4. Priority document, certified (to be filed within three months after the application date);
5. Certificate of Incorporation for companies (if necessary, with a legalized translation into English), legalized up to a Sudanese Consulate.

Electronic filing: not available. 

Electronic signatures: are not accepted (only wet signatures). Scanned copies of documents are accepted, however, the original must be sent within ninety days from the application date.

In case of assignment:
1. Forms Nos. (7) and (8) (available on request from local agents);
2. Assignment contract, legalized up to a Sudanese Consulate.