Swaziland Trademark Information

The Kingdom of Swaziland, sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique. The population is estimated at 1185000 with a GDP of $5.858 billion.

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III, the world's last absolute monarch, to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy, although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006, but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Trademarks are assigned through the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, Intellectual Property Office. Swaziland is a member of the Madrid Protocol. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.