Annual Technical Report 2005 on Trademark Information Activities submitted by Ghana (SCIT/ATR/TM/2005/GH)

Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.

I. Evolution of registration activities

In the year 2005 the number of national trademark applications increased to 1620 from 1114 in the year 2004.

The national trademark applications are normally filed in standardized paper form.
Applications received were predominantly in classes, 3, 5,9, 16, 29, 30,32 and 41.

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of secondary sources of trademark information, i.e., trademark gazettes

The Office's main publication in the field of trademark information is the Commercial and Industrial Bulletin, published by the Government printers.

Trademark section was automated in June 2005 under an IPAS project.

III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of trademark information

Goods and services are classified according to the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks(Nice Classification) 8th Edition.

Applicants are not obliged to use pre-defined terms , however any term which is unclear or vague will be queried.

Searches are conducted both manually and electronically.

Ghana is not a member of the Vienna Agreement for the Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks, but uses the system with some national modification and adaptations. Paper copies of any figurative elements are kept in a manual register.

IV. Trademark manual search file establishment and upkeep

Trademark information is maintained in paper form .Applications are built into paper based files.The files are kept with the examiners until it reaches the publication stage.Paper files are kept in cabinets.

Registers and index cards are updated regularly to reflect new developments in each class of goods and services.

The manual search files of examiners consist of reference books ,index cards and dictionaries of the languages most frequently used in applications

V. Activities in the field of computerized trademark search systems

The IPAS server contains about 30% data from all trademark applications,pending and published and office documents.Trademark applications received in 2005 have all been captured in electronic form , those with figurative elements have been scanned and kept in the database as images in jpeg-format.

Searches are conducted electronically as well as manually , as the Office is still in the process of capturing all backlog files.

VI. Administration of trademark services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering trademarks, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)

Applications may be made by post or in person.The public can obtain information from the Office, which also offers search services and assistance in the filing of applications.

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of trademark documentation and information

There is no ongoing programme of mutual exchange of trademark documentation.

VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries

The Trademark Office staff attended national seminars and exhibitions organized by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for Small and Meduim Scale enterprises

IX. Other relevant matters