Zimbabwe
Information on the filing of Patents, Designs and trademarks in Zimbabwe

PATENT REGISTRATIONS

Zimbabwe is a member of the International Convention, ARIPO and of the PCT.

The requirements for filing a non-PCT application in Zimbabwe are as follows:

(a) A Power of Attorney - no legalization or notarization necessary;
(b) An Assignment of Invention (not required if the inventor(s) and applicant(s) are the same) - no legalization or notarization necessary;
(c) A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in English; and
(d) A certified copy of the priority application and, if necessary, a certified translation into English thereof.

Please note that the documents listed under item (c) are required on the day of filing. Items (a), (b), and (d) can be late lodged subsequent to the filing date.

The requirements for filing a PCT application in Zimbabwe are as follows:
(i) A Power of Attorney - no legalization or notarization necessary;
(ii) An Assignment of Invention (not required if the inventor(s) and applicant(s) are the same) - no legalization or notarization necessary;
(iii) A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in English;
(iv) A copy of the PCT International advertisement;
(v) A copy of International Search Report; and
(vi) A copy of International Preliminary Examination Report and, where appropriate, an English translation thereof.

Please note that the documents listed under items (iii) and (iv) are required on the day of filing. Items (i), (ii), (v), and (vi) can be late lodged subsequent to the filing date.

We estimate that the cost of filing a patent application in Zimbabwe will be between about US$ 2200.00 and US$ 2400.00 (excluding translation costs, if necessary).