WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide GM - Gambia
Registrar General's Department, Ministry of Justice (Gambia)

    Applicable as from 13 March 2025
    (published on 13 March 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights

    Consult the full list of the changes

    Previous version(s): You can consult previous versions of the document. The only applicable version is the current version.
    15 Sep 2023, Current Version

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: Registrar General's Department, Ministry of Justice (Gambia)
    IPA: Industrial Property Act (Cap.95:03), 2 April 2007
    IPR: Industrial Property Regulations, 1 January 2011
    List of currencies used in this document:
    GMD (Dalasi), USD (US dollar)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Contracting State:
    Gambia
    Two-letter code:
    GM
    Name of Office:
    Registrar General's Department, Ministry of Justice (Gambia)
    Location:
    Marina Parade
    Banjul
    Gambia
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    (220) 422 84 50
    (220) 422 86 65
    (220) 314 10 05
    E-mail:
    info@moj.gov.gm
    colleyabdoulie@yahoo.com
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    None
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    No
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    AP, 
    IB
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Refer to the Office
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    National protection: GM
    ARIPO protection: AP
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    National:
    Patents
    Utility models
    ARIPO:
    Patents
    Utility models (a utility model may be sought instead of or in addition to an ARIPO patent)
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    Refer to the Office
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    None
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    For national protection
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    No
    For an ARIPO patent
    Refer to Annex B(AP)

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    The Office does not act as receiving Office
    This Office has delegated its RO functions to RO/AP. Refer to Annex C(AP) for more information.

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    No
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    The amounts in USD are applicable only for applicants who are not residents of Gambia.
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Patents
    Filing fee
    Includes examination, grant and publication
    5,000 GMD
    or 400 USD
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    2,500 GMD
    or 200 USD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in the Gambia (a power of attorney must be furnished)
    Who can act as agent?
    Any attorney or patent attorney registered in the Gambia
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    GM.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003).
    GM.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex GM.I.
    GM.03 REPRESENTATION
    IPA Sec. 38, 
    IPR Sec. 6

    Where the ordinary residence or principal place of business of the applicant is outside Gambia, she/he has to appoint an agent who is a legal practitioner resident and practicing in Gambia. This may be done on Form A1, a model of which is given in Annex GM.II.
    GM.04 EXAMINATION
    IPA Sec. 10(3), 
    IPA Sec. 10(4), 
    IPR Sec. 20(1)

    The Office will examine the application as to substance.
    GM.05 ANNUAL FEES
    IPA Sec. 13(3)
    Annual fees must be paid in advance to the Registrar General for each year, starting one year after the filing date of the application for grant of the patent. A period of grace of six months is granted for the payment of the annual fee upon payment of a prescribed surcharge. In case of non-payment of the annual fee, the patent application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn or the patent shall lapse. The payment of each annual fee shall be accompanied by a statement on Form P8, a model of which is given in Annex GM.IV.
    GM.06 PUBLICATION OF APPLICATIONS
    IPA Sec. 39(3), 
    IPR Sec. 48

    All applications are published in the official bulletin (The Gambia Gazette) within two months after entry into the national phase.
    GM.07 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION
    IPA Sec. 7(2), 
    IPR Sec. 28(2)

    The applicant may amend the application, provided that the amendment shall not go beyond the disclosure of the initial application. An amendment of the application shall be made on Form P3, a model of which is given in Annex GM.III.
    GM.08 UTILITY MODEL
    IPA Sec. 16
    Subject to paragraph GM.09, if the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model instead of a patent in Gambia, on the basis of an international application, the applicant, when performing the acts referred to in Article 22 or 39, shall so indicate to the Office. The fees relating to utility models are indicated in Annex GM.I.
    GM.09 CONVERSION OF PATENT APPLICATION INTO UTILITY MODEL APPLICATION
    IPA Sec. 18
    An international application for a patent may be converted into a utility model application and vice versa at any time before the grant or refusal of a patent, upon payment of the prescribed fee. The converted application will have the filing date of the initial application. An application may not be converted more than once.
    GM.10 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Art. 24(2), 
    PCT Art. 48(2), 
    PCT Rule 82bis

    Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase. At the Director General’s discretion, the applicant may be given an extension of any time limit prescribed by the Regulations and the Administrative Instructions. Such extension may be granted even if the time limit has already expired.

    Annexes

    Annex GM.I - Fees
    The amounts in USD are applicable only for applicants who are not residents of Gambia.
    Patents
    Filing fee (includes examination, grant and publication)
    5,000 GMD
    400 USD
    Amendment of patent application or priority claim
    1,500 GMD
    120 USD
    Request for correction of patent application
    None
    Record of particulars of patent registration
    None
    Certificate of Grant of Patent
    None
    Annual fees:
    — for the 1st year
    250 USD
    — for the 2nd year to the 9th years
    per year, 300 USD
    — for the 10th year
    400 USD
    — for the 11th year
    500 USD
    — for the 12th year
    600 USD
    — for the 13th year
    700 USD
    — for the 14th year
    800 USD
    — for the 15th year
    900 USD
    — for the 16th year
    1,000 USD
    — for the 17th year
    1,100 USD
    — for the 18th year
    1,200 USD
    — for the 19th year
    1,300 USD
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    2,500 GMD
    200 USD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    Payment of fees must be effected in Gambian dalasi or US Dollar
    All payments must indicate the application number (national if already known; international if the national number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the type of fee being paid
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex GM.II - Power of attorney (Form A1)
    Annex GM.III - Amendment of patent application or priority claim (Form P3)
    Annex GM.IV - Statement accompanying Payment of Annuity (Form P8)
    Current version applicable from 13 Mar 2025 , printed on 22 May 2025
    2.1 #12 - 2025-05-20T15:31:04.965+02:00