Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
Protect what you have built.
Your brand, inventions and creative work have value. We help you understand the difference between trademarks, patents and copyright, and support you through the relevant registration processes.
Overview
Understanding intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) covers creations of the mind — brands, inventions, designs and creative works. Different types of IP are protected in different ways, by different laws and authorities.
In Nigeria, trademarks, patents and industrial designs are registered at the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Copyright is administered by the Nigerian Copyright Commission.
Registering your business name with the CAC is not the same as registering a trademark. If your brand matters to your business, it is worth understanding how to protect it.
Who may need this
- Businesses building a brand, product or service name
- Founders with a logo, slogan or packaging they want to protect
- Inventors and companies developing new products or processes
- Authors, musicians, filmmakers, designers, software developers and other creators
Why it matters
Protecting your intellectual property can help you stop others from copying or trading on your work, strengthen your position with investors and partners, and support licensing and commercialisation.
Know the difference
Trademark, patent or copyright?
A simplified guide. Many businesses need more than one type of protection.
| Trademark | Patent | Copyright | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protects | Brand identifiers — names, logos, slogans — for specific goods or services | New inventions — products or processes | Original creative works — writing, music, art, films, software and more |
| Example | Your company’s product name and logo | A new machine, formula or manufacturing method | A book, song, photograph, film, design or computer program |
| How protection arises | Through registration, in the relevant class(es) | Through a granted patent application | Automatically when an original work is created in a fixed form; the Commission also offers voluntary notification |
| Authority | Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry | Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry | Nigerian Copyright Commission |
What we help with
Intellectual property support
Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry
Trademark registration
A registered trademark can protect the names, logos and slogans that identify your goods or services. Trademarks are registered in classes that correspond to the goods or services they cover.
The process typically involves an availability search, an application, examination, publication to allow objections, and registration.
May be relevant to: any business with a brand name, logo or slogan it wants to protect.
How we help:
- Availability searches and guidance on similar existing marks
- Choosing the right class(es) for your goods or services
- Preparing and filing the application
- Following up on examination, publication and registration
Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry
Patent support
A patent can protect a new invention — a product or process — that meets the legal requirements, such as being new and capable of industrial application.
Patent applications need a clear, detailed description of the invention. Industrial designs are protected under the same law and registry.
May be relevant to: inventors, manufacturers and technology businesses developing new products or processes.
How we help:
- Understanding whether patent or design protection may be appropriate
- Preparing and submitting the application, where applicable
- Following up with the registry
Nigerian Copyright Commission
Copyright support
Copyright protects original literary, musical and artistic works, films, sound recordings, broadcasts and computer programs, among others. Protection arises when an eligible work is created in a fixed form, rather than through registration.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission operates a voluntary notification scheme that records works. This can provide useful evidence of your work.
May be relevant to: authors, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, designers, software developers and content businesses.
How we help:
- Explaining how copyright applies to your work
- Supporting copyright notification with the Commission, where applicable
Requirements
Information you may be asked to provide
Depending on the type of protection, you may be asked to provide some or all of the following:
- Applicant details — individual or company — and address
- For trademarks: the name, logo or slogan, and a description of the goods or services
- For patents: a detailed description of the invention, with drawings where relevant
- For copyright: a copy or sample of the work and details of the author and owner
- Authorisation documents, where someone applies on your behalf
Requirements vary. The exact list depends on your structure, your activity and the current procedures of the relevant authority. We confirm what applies to you during your consultation.
Process
How the process usually works
The typical flow is below. Individual steps can differ by authority and by case.
- ConsultationWe discuss what you want to protect and the right route.
- SearchFor trademarks, we check for similar existing marks.
- PreparationWe prepare the application and supporting details.
- FilingThe application is submitted to the relevant authority.
- Follow-upWe track examination, publication and any objections.
- OutcomeYou receive the certificate or record issued.
Fees and timeframes
Government & regulatory fees
Official fees are set by the registry or the Commission and depend on the type of application and, for trademarks, the number of classes. They can change, so we confirm the current fees — and our professional fee — before you commit.
Timeframes
IP processes can take time and include stages, such as publication for objections, that are set by law and the registry. We don’t publish fixed timeframes; we’ll explain the stages for your application and keep you updated.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes
- Launching a brand without checking whether a similar mark already exists
- Registering in the wrong class, or too few classes
- Assuming CAC name registration protects your brand
- Publicly disclosing an invention before seeking advice on patent protection
- Not keeping records that show when and by whom a work was created
Questions about this service
I have registered my business name with the CAC. Do I still need a trademark?
Business name registration and trademark registration are different processes that do different things. If your brand is important to your business, trademark registration is worth considering.
Do I have to register copyright?
Copyright protection arises automatically when an eligible original work is created in a fixed form. Voluntary notification with the Nigerian Copyright Commission can provide useful evidence of your work.
Is my trademark guaranteed to be registered?
No. The registry examines each application, and third parties may object during publication. We help you prepare a strong application, but the decision rests with the registry.
Can I protect my brand outside Nigeria?
A Nigerian registration generally covers Nigeria. Protection in other countries usually requires separate applications. Tell us where you operate and we can discuss the options.
Related services
You may also need
Business Registration & Corporate Documentation
Business name registration, company incorporation with the CAC and related corporate documentation.
Federal Bidding & Compliance
Preparing the compliance documents that tenders and vendor registrations commonly ask for.
Specialised Technical Permits & Regulatory Approvals
Industry-specific registrations and permits, where your business activity requires them.
Free consultation
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk it through.
Tell us about your business and what you’re trying to do. We’ll help you understand which registrations or documents may apply and what the next steps involve — before you commit.
Important: BIMPRESTIGE provides business registration, documentation, compliance and regulatory process support. Government agencies and regulatory authorities retain responsibility for decisions, approvals, processing times and requirements. Submission does not automatically guarantee approval. Website information is general information and is not legal, tax, immigration or investment advice.