Malawi Trademark Information

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The population is estimated at 15,028,000 with a GDP of $12.32 billion.

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in May 2009.

Trademarks are assigned through the Department of the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Malawi is not a member of the Madrid Protocol and is a member of ARIPO. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.