PROTECTION OF PATENTS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS IN NIGERIA

AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Patents are grants protecting new inventions and Industrial Designs are those elements attributed to industrial or commercial products to enhance their appearance and attractiveness. As instruments of economic development, the law affords protection to persons whose efforts and energy are exerted in this direction. The primary concern of applicable laws is to protect inventions and designs that are new or
constitute afundamental improvement of existing inventions and designs. The Nigerian legislation governing patents and designs is the Patent and Design Act, Cap. P20, LPN, 2004. Despite the protection against infringement enshrined in the Act, there are
obvious challenges to the system which hinders an effective accomplishment of the aim of the law. This paper proffers an insight into the Nigerian legal regime of patents and designs, identifies existing setbacks and advances possible solutions.