Questions And Answers: Botswana And Madrid - 2013 A Few Practical Considerations

Botswana is a stable democracy with an excellent track record of governance and has topped the list of the world's fastest growing economies since attaining independence in 1966. There is a well-developed legal system based on common law and purpose written legislation which facilitates commercial activities.

Intellectual Property law is advanced in Botswana and brand owners' rights are enforced effectively.

Botswana acceded to the Madrid Protocol in 2006. The Industrial Property Act No.8 of 2010 ("the IP Act") that came into force on 1 September 2012, has been enacted to provide protection for trade marks designated under the International Registration ("IR") system. The IP Act makes provision for the protection of industrial property in Botswana, giving effect to various international conventions, treaties and protocols to which Botswana is a signatory.