For multinational corporations (MNCs) and global intellectual property law firms, managing a trademark portfolio in emerging African markets has historically required navigating a patchwork of localized, often opaque, filing systems.

That landscape started to shift on August 15, 2025, when Ethiopia officially entered the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Madrid Protocol.

Now, nearly a year into this new era of international integration, foreign brand owners have improved tools to protect their intellectual property in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. However, as with any jurisdictional shift, the gap between international treaty accession and local administrative practice remains a critical space where global brands can either secure their rights or face unexpected vulnerabilities.

At Makkobilli Law Firm LLP, we serve as the local IP liaison/agent/ for global firms and foreign in-house counsel. Here is our strategic guide on how to effectively leverage Ethiopia’s accession to update your global IP portfolios, claim priority, and navigate the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA).

1. The Accession Timeline and Legislative Harmonization

To understand the current regulatory environment, it is helpful to look at the timeline of Ethiopia's integration into the global IP framework:

q 1998: Ethiopia joined the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), taking its first step toward global IP engagement.

q October 1, 2024: The Ethiopian Council of Ministers approved the country’s accession to both treaties, signaling a major policy shift toward global IP standards.

q May 15, 2025: Ethiopia officially deposited its instrument of accession with WIPO.

q August 15, 2025: Both the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol officially entered into force in Ethiopia.

Since the entry into force, the EIPA has been working closely with local practitioners to harmonize existing domestic laws with these international obligations. While the treaties are active, navigating the EIPA’s evolving procedural requirements demands precise local oversight.

2. Claiming Priority Under the Paris Convention

Prior to August 2025, foreign applicants filing in Ethiopia could not backdate their applications to match their home country filings. This left global brands highly vulnerable to local trademark squatters who could register a known foreign mark before the brand owner initiated their Ethiopian market entry.

Under the Paris Convention, foreign entities can now claim a right of priority.

How it works: If a brand owner files a trademark or industrial design application in any Paris Convention member state, they now have a six-month window (or 12 months for patents and utility models) to file a corresponding application in Ethiopia.

The Strategic Advantage: The EIPA will treat the Ethiopian application as if it were filed on the exact same date as the original foreign application. In Ethiopia’s "first-to-file" system, this priority claim is a vital defensive mechanism against bad-faith local registrations and trademark squatting.

3. Designating Ethiopia via the Madrid System

The Madrid Protocol has revolutionized how foreign brands designate Ethiopia for trademark protection. Instead of initiating a standalone national application from scratch, foreign applicants can now use the centralized WIPO system.

The Process:

1.  Home Application: The trademark owner files a domestic application in their home jurisdiction (the "Office of Origin").

2.  WIPO International Registration (IR): The owner files an international application with WIPO, specifically designating Ethiopia among their chosen member countries.

3.  Formal Examination: WIPO conducts an examination for formalities and, if satisfied, registers the mark and notifies the EIPA.

4.  Substantive Local Examination: This is the critical phase. WIPO does not guarantee local registration. The EIPA retains the sovereign right to examine the international registration against Ethiopian national law (e.g., checking for distinctiveness, absolute grounds for refusal, and prior conflicting local rights).

4. The Expert Insight: Why Local Representation Remains Critical

While the Madrid Protocol simplifies the filing process, it does not eliminate the need for specialized local counsel. In fact, relying solely on the WIPO centralized system without local oversight can lead to abandoned applications.

Global IP firms must be prepared for the following local realities:

q Overcoming Provisional Refusals: If the EIPA finds a conflict during its substantive examination, it will issue a Provisional Refusal to WIPO. Foreign applicants have a strict, limited timeframe to respond. Responding to these office actions requires a licensed Ethiopian IP agent to file legal arguments directly with the EIPA.

q Strict Formalities and Legalized PoAs: Historically, the EIPA has maintained strict requirements for foreign applicants, including the submission of heavily legalized Powers of Attorney (PoA) and proof of home registration. While the Madrid System bypasses some of this at the filing stage, local enforcement, oppositions, and administrative trials still require perfectly executed, legalized local documentation.

q Market Monitoring: An international registration does not enforce itself. Foreign brands still require local agents to monitor the EIPA’s digital and physical publications to oppose conflicting local applications and to monitor the Ethiopian market for counterfeits.

Updating Your Global Portfolio

Ethiopia’s integration into the Paris Convention and Madrid Protocol is a monumental step forward, offering cost-effective, streamlined avenues for IP protection. For MNCs currently expanding their footprint in East Africa, now is the time to audit your global portfolios and ensure Ethiopia is properly designated and prioritized.

Need to secure your IP rights in Ethiopia?

Whether you are a global law firm seeking a reliable local agent/liaison to overcome a WIPO Provisional Refusal, or an MNC looking to designate Ethiopia in your international portfolio, Makkobilli Law Firm LLP provides end-to-end strategic support. Contact our IP Practice Coordinator at iplawp[at]makkobilli.com to discuss our EIPA Registration & Liaison services.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The application of the law may vary depending on specific facts and circumstances. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney licensed in Ethiopia before taking any action based on the information contained herein.

Keywords: Ethiopia Madrid Protocol, Ethiopia Paris Convention, WIPO Ethiopia, Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority, EIPA trademark registration, claim priority Ethiopia, provisional refusal Ethiopia, trademark law Ethiopia, Makkobilli Law Firm.