Trademark, Copyright, Patent & Design Protection
Protecting your intellectual property is essential for safeguarding brand value, innovation, and commercial goodwill. Intellectual property law in Lesotho provides a structured legal framework for the protection and enforcement of copyrights, trademarks, patents, and industrial designs—whether you are an individual creator, a startup, or an established business.
Our firm advises clients across all areas of intellectual property law in Lesotho, from registration and compliance to enforcement and dispute resolution.
Overview of Intellectual Property Rights in Lesotho
Lesotho recognises the following main categories of intellectual property:
- Copyright
- Trademarks
- Patents
- Industrial Designs
Each category is governed by specific legislation and regulations, with both domestic and international considerations playing an important role.
Copyright Protection in Lesotho
Copyright in Lesotho is regulated by the Copyright Order of 1989. Copyright protection arises automatically upon the creation of an original work and does not require formal registration.
Protected works include, among others:
- Literary works
- Artistic works
- Musical works
- Cinematographic works
- Computer programs
Copyright grants the owner exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, adapt, and commercially exploit the work, subject to statutory limitations and exceptions.
Trademarks, Patents and Industrial Designs
Trademarks, patents, and industrial designs are governed by the Industrial Property Order of 1989, together with the applicable regulations.
Trademarks in Lesotho
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of another. Lesotho operates a class-based trademark registration system in accordance with the Nice Classification, which recognises both goods and services. Multi-class trademark applications are permitted.
Key features of trademark registration in Lesotho:
- Applications are examined for formal and substantive compliance
- Accepted marks are published for opposition
- A 3-month opposition period applies following publication
- Registration typically takes 18–24 months
- Trademarks are registered for 10 years, renewable indefinitely in further 10-year periods
- Registered trademarks may be cancelled after three years of non-use
International Trademark Protection and Treaties
Lesotho is a signatory to several important international intellectual property treaties, including:
- The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
- The Madrid Protocol
- The Banjul Protocol
However, Lesotho has not yet fully incorporated the Madrid or Banjul Protocols into its national legislation. This creates uncertainty regarding the enforceability of trademarks registered solely through international systems such as WIPO or ARIPO.
Practical guidance:
While priority claims under the Paris Convention are recognised, we strongly recommend domestic trademark registration in Lesotho to ensure enforceability and effective legal protection.
Recent Developments in Lesotho’s Intellectual Property Reform Agenda
Lesotho is actively modernising its intellectual property framework as part of a broader strategy to support innovation, cultural protection, and economic growth. In late 2025, the government intensified its engagement with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), signalling a clear policy shift toward deeper regional and international IP integration.
During a high-level visit to ARIPO’s headquarters in Harare, the Minister of Law and Justice led a delegation to engage on institutional reform, legislative alignment, and capacity-building within Lesotho’s IP system. Central to these discussions was Lesotho’s intention to move toward ratification of several key ARIPO protocols that expand protection beyond conventional trademarks and patents.
These include instruments aimed at safeguarding traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, encouraging the development and protection of new plant varieties, and strengthening copyright administration and enforcement. Together, these initiatives reflect an evolving approach to intellectual property that recognises innovation not only in industrial and commercial contexts, but also within agriculture, heritage, and creative industries.
Lesotho’s reform trajectory is underpinned by the adoption of a National Intellectual Property Policy in 2025, complemented by the Research and Innovation Policy of 2021. These policy instruments position intellectual property as a driver of a knowledge-based economy and an enabler of international trade, particularly in priority sectors such as textiles, water-related technologies, and agriculture.
Practical indicators already show increased engagement with Lesotho’s IP environment. In recent years, thousands of trademark, patent, and industrial design applications connected to Lesotho have been processed through ARIPO systems, pointing to rising regional and foreign interest in securing IP rights linked to the country.
Beyond legislation and filings, government focus has also turned to institutional reform. The stated objective is to evolve the national IP office from a largely administrative registry into a proactive institution that supports innovation ecosystems, industrial development zones, and creative industries. Strengthened IP governance is increasingly viewed as essential for protecting local ingenuity, preserving cultural assets, and enhancing economic resilience.
Lesotho’s continued collaboration with ARIPO reflects a long-term commitment to aligning its intellectual property regime with continental standards and international best practice, an important consideration for rights-holders, investors, and creators operating in or through Lesotho.
Patents and Industrial Designs
Lesotho law provides protection for:
- Patents, covering new inventions involving an inventive step and industrial applicability
- Industrial designs, protecting the aesthetic or ornamental features of a product
Patent and design registration confers exclusive rights and allows rights-holders to prevent unauthorised commercial exploitation.
Enforcement, Disputes and Unfair Competition
Intellectual property rights are only valuable if they can be enforced. We advise and represent clients in a wide range of IP-related disputes, including:
- Trademark infringement proceedings
- Opposition and cancellation actions
- Rectification of the trademark register
- Passing-off and unfair competition claims
- Breach of licensing and franchising agreements
- Copyright infringement matters
- Fraudulent use of intellectual property
Our Intellectual Property Services in Lesotho
We assist individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients with:
- Trademark searches and registrations
- Trademark renewals and portfolio management
- Amendments and recordals (name changes, assignments, licences)
- Trademark oppositions and cancellations
- IP enforcement and litigation
- Copyright advisory and compliance
- Patent and industrial design filings
- Strategic IP protection for local and foreign investors
We provide practical, commercially focused advice tailored to the regulatory and enforcement realities of Lesotho.
Why Local IP Advice Matters
Lesotho’s intellectual property framework presents unique local and regional considerations, particularly where international filings and enforcement are concerned. Early, properly structured registration can prevent costly disputes and ensure your rights are legally defensible.
Speak to Us About Your Intellectual Property Needs
If you are considering registering a trademark, protecting creative work, or enforcing intellectual property rights in Lesotho, we will guide you through the legal requirements and strategic options available.
Contact us today for clear, practical intellectual property advice in Lesotho.