Intellectual property is important for businesses in Ghana as it protects their creations and inventions by specifying who owns and has rights over the property. Below are the top 7 intellectual property laws in Ghana every business should know.
- Copyright Law (Act 690)
Copyright protects literary, artistic, and musical works, as well as computer programs and databases created by businesses. This gives the creator the sole right to reproduce, distribute, and display his work, with some exceptions.
2. Patents Act, 2003 (Act 657)
The Patents Act protects inventions and grants the patent holder the exclusive right to use and exploit the invention for a period of 20 years from the date of filing.
Trademarks Law (Act 664)
The Act protects brand names, logos, slogans, and other unique signs used by businesses. Registering a trademark gives the owner exclusive rights to use the mark and prevents unauthorized use by others.
4. Industrial Designs Act, 2003 (Act 660)
This Act protects the aesthetic part of an article, including the shape, pattern, or color. Registering an industrial design grants the owner exclusive rights for five years, renewable for two additional five-year terms.
5. Geographical Indications Act, 2003 (Act 659)
This law protects names or signs that identify products as being derived from a specific place. It only applies when the product’s quality or reputation is usually associated with a particular area. An example is shea butter which is derived from specific regions in Ghana.
6. Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Act, 2003 (Act 667)
This law protects three-dimensional (3D) designs of electronic circuits used in microchips and other semiconductor products. Registration grants the creator the right to exclude others from using the design for 10 years.
7. Plant Variety Protection Act, 2010 (Act 803)
This Act protects new plant varieties that are distinct, uniform, and stable. It grants breeders the exclusive right to produce, sell, or distribute the plant variety for a specific period.
Philipa N. A. Sima Nuamah on behalf of OSD & Partners
