Country Overview
Sudan (population approx. 50-51 million, 2026 proj.) is a member of the “Harare Protocol” (ARIPO), offering a regional route for patent protection. However, the operational environment is currently severely impacted by conflict. As of December 2025, the Trademark Office (part of the Commercial Registrar General) suspended operations in its temporary location in Port Sudan to facilitate a relocation of administrative functions back to Khartoum.
Sudan’s economy is transitioning through a period of significant instability. While historically dependent on oil and agriculture, the current focus for IP rights holders is maintaining the validity of assets during administrative disruptions. The Registrar General of Intellectual Property oversees the system, which generally follows British common law principles for trademarks and statutory provisions for other rights.
Sudan IP System Overview
Sudan is a member of the Paris Convention, the Madrid Protocol, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
- Regional Membership: ARIPO (Harare Protocol for patents and designs). Note: Sudan is not a member of the ARIPO Banjul Protocol for trademarks.
This section provides a high-level overview of jurisdiction-specific IP protection requirements and is not intended to be comprehensive. For advice on your specific matter, please contact our IP experts.
- Filing System:
Sudan operates a single-class trademark application system, meaning each application may cover only one class of goods or services. - Term of Protection:
Trademark registrations in Sudan are valid for ten years from the filing date and may be renewed indefinitely for successive ten-year periods upon payment of renewal fees. - Madrid Protocol:
Sudan is a member of the Madrid Protocol and accepts international trademark designations, allowing applicants to designate Sudan through the Madrid System. - Opposition Period:
Trademark applications are subject to an opposition period of eight months from the date of publication. - Status Update (December 2025):
Due to the suspension of administrative operations in Port Sudan, trademark-related administrative work has been halted. Deadlines falling within the suspension period are generally extended until official operations resume.
- Term of Protection:
Patent protection is granted for a period of twenty years from the filing date, provided all maintenance requirements are met. - Filing Routes:
Patent applications may be filed through national filing, via entry into the PCT national phase, or through designation under the ARIPO Harare Protocol. - Annuities:
Annual maintenance fees are payable starting from the first anniversary of the filing date and must be paid each year to keep the patent in force.
- Protection Term: Initial term of 5 years.
- Renewals: Renewable for two consecutive periods of 5 years (Total 15 years).
- Filing Route: National or ARIPO designation.
- Protection Term: Generally the life of the author + 50 years (Berne Convention standard).
Khartoum
Block 12, Hay Al Thawrat, Port Sudan,
Red Sea State, Sudan
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