Gambia Publishes Missing Trade Mark Journals

The Gambian Intellectual Property Office has released 11 trade mark journals ranging in dates from 1993 to 2015. The journals were published by the Gambian State Printing Corporation on 1st February 2016.

The published journals represent the trade mark applications filed in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2013, 2014 and part of 2015.

This being the first time a large number of journals with varying dates have been published, there are no precedents on how applicants should proceed. The matter is further complicated by the fact that the journals have not been signed by the Registrar of Trade Marks thereby making it difficult to establish what the effective date of the journals are for the purpose of opposition.

All applicants who may have applied for trademarks in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,1999, 2010, 2013, 2014 and part of 2015 should out of caution assume that the effective date for the purposes for opposition is the 1st February 2016 until further clarity is obtained on the matter.

For more information kindly contact Carole Theuri