Zambia: New Trade Marks Act in Force

LUSAKA - Zambia’s long-awaited Trade Marks Act (Act No. 11 of 2025) officially took effect on December 31, 2025, after the publication of Statutory Instrument No. 86 of 2025. The enactment marks a major development of the country’s trademark regime, aligning domestic law with international norms and introducing new protections and procedures designed to make registration clearer, faster, and more predictable for businesses and practitioners.

The updated Act, passed by Parliament on December 26, 2023, brings several important reforms that modernize Zambia’s intellectual property framework. Among the most significant changes is the formal recognition and registration of service marks, allowing service providers to obtain direct protection in service classes rather than relying on indirect or imperfect forms of cover.

Other notable features of the new Act include clearer definitions of registrable signs, strengthened grounds for refusal and invalidation, updated procedures for opposition and appeal, and provisions to support electronic filing and administration. The legislation gives explicit recognition to well-known marks, enhancing the ability of rights holders to prevent conflicting registrations and enforce their rights even in circumstances where no local registration exists.

Trademark registrations will now be granted and renewed for a period of 10 years. Existing registrations obtained under the previous legislation remain valid until their current expiry dates, after which renewal will be governed by the new Act. The new legislation significantly strengthens enforcement options, combining civil remedies, criminal offences, and border-control measures to address infringement and counterfeiting.

For more information or inquiries, please contact AGIP Africa office at africa@agip.com