WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide LR - Libéria
Instituto da Propriedade Intelectual da Libéria (LIPO)

    Applicable as from 1 de janeiro de 2026
    (published on 13 de novembro de 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    RO: RO fees
    List of changes

    [MT] Informações úteis sobre o hotel

    [MT] O Guia do Requerente PCT é atualizado quase semanalmente com as informações recebidas pelo Escritório Internacional.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    [MT] Lista de abreviaturas utilizadas no presente documento :
    Office: Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO)
    LPL: Liberia Intellectual Property Act, 2016
    LPR: Administrative Regulation on Patent, 5 September 2019
    [MT] Lista das moedas utilizadas neste documento :
    USD (Dólar americano)
    [MT] Países e informações sobre os escritórios :
    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.
    [MT] Perfil do escritório
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    [MT] Reservas, declarações, notificações e incompatibilidades do PCT
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    [MT] Datas fechadas
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    [MT] Fase internacional

    [MT] Anexo B - Informações sobre Estados Contratantes ou Organizações Intergovernamentais

    [MT] Estado Contratante :
    Libéria
    [MT] Código de duas letras :
    LR
    [MT] Nome do escritório:
    Instituto da Propriedade Intelectual da Libéria (LIPO)
    [MT] Localização :
    Old Labor Ministry Building
    U.N. Drive
    Monrovia
    Liberia
    [MT] Endereço postal :
    Same as above
    [MT] Telefone :
    (231) 775 53 35 95
    [MT] E-mail :
    liberiaindustrialproperty@gmail.com
    [MT] Site da Web:
    None
    [MT] Fax:
    (231) 770 32 90 24
    [MT] O Instituto aceita o depósito de documentos por fax ou por meios similares ( Regra 92.4 do PCT )?
    Yes, by facsimile
    [MT] Que tipos de documentos podem ser transmitidos?
    All kinds of documents
    [MT] O original do documento deve ser apresentado em todos os casos?
    Yes, within 14 days from the date of transmission, if the transmitted document is an international application or a replacement sheet containing corrections or amendments of an international application
    No, only upon invitation in the case of other documents
    [MT] O Instituto aceitaria provas de envio de um documento, em caso de perda ou atraso, quando for utilizado um serviço de entrega que não as autoridades postais ( Regra 82.1 do PCT )?
    Yes, provided that the delivery service is:
    DHL,
    EMS
    [MT] O Instituto está disposto a permitir que os requerentes coloquem os seus pedidos à disposição do Serviço de Acesso Digital da OMPI para Documentos de Prioridade ( DAS ) ( Regra 17.1 ( b - bis ) do PCT )?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    Não
    [MT] Secretaria ( s) de recepção competente ( s) para pedidos internacionais apresentados por nacionais ou residentes deste Estado :
    AP,
    IB,
    LR
    [MT] A legislação nacional restringe o depósito de pedidos internacionais junto de institutos estrangeiros?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Serviço ( s ) competente ( s ) designado ( s ) ( ou eleito ) para este Estado :
    National protection: LR
    ARIPO protection: AP
    [MT] Tipos de protecção disponíveis através do PCT:
    National:
    Patents,
    Utility models

    ARIPO:
    Patents,
    Utility models (a utility model may be sought instead of or in addition to an ARIPO patent)
    [MT] Métodos de pagamento aceites pelo Instituto :
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Disponibilidade, nos termos da legislação nacional, para uma pesquisa internacional de tipo (PCT Artigo 15 ):
    None
    [MT] Protecção provisória após publicação internacional :
    None
    [MT] Informação de interesse se este Estado Contratante for designado ( ou eleito )
    [MT] Data em que o nome e o endereço do inventor devem ser indicados :
    Must be in the request. If the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiry of the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1)(a), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    [MT] Existem disposições especiais relativas ao depósito de microrganismos e outros materiais biológicos?
    Não
    [MT] Para uma patente ARIPO
    Refer to Annex B(AP)

    [MT] Anexo C - Gabinete de recepção

    [MT] Serviço de receção competente para nacionais e residentes de :
    Libéria
    [MT] Língua em que podem ser apresentados os pedidos internacionais :
    English
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    3
    [MT] O Instituto receptor aceita o depósito de pedidos internacionais em formato eletrónico?
    Information not yet available
    [MT] O Instituto receptor aceita a incorporação por referência ( Regra 20.6 do PCT )?
    Sim
    [MT] O Instituto receptor aceita a apresentação de desenhos coloridos de forma informal e os transmite ao Escritório Internacional?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] O Instituto receptor aceita pedidos de restauração do direito de prioridade ( Regra 26bis.3 do PCT )?
    Yes, the Office applies both the “unintentional” and the “due care” criteria to such requests
    [MT] Autoridade competente para a pesquisa internacional :
    AT,
    AU,
    CN,
    EP,
    SE
    [MT] Autoridade competente para o exame preliminar internacional :
    AT,
    AU,
    SE

    CN
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
    EP
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office, the Austrian Patent Office or the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV).
    Fees payable to the RO:
    [MT] Taxa de transmissão :
    50 USD
    [MT] Taxa de depósito internacional :
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,667 USD
    [MT] Taxa por folha superior a 30 :
    19 USD
    [MT] Taxa de pesquisa :
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(AU)
    Annex D(CN)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D(SE)
    [MT] Taxa de documento de prioridade ( Regra 17.1 ( b ) do PCT ) :
    — per page of the certified copy
    5 USD
    [MT] O Instituto receptor exige um agente?
    Sim
    [MT] Quem pode agir como agente?
    Any attorney certified by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) and registered by the Legal Bar Association or any IP agent certified by LIPO
    [MT] Renúncia à procuração:
    [MT] O Gabinete dispensou a exigência de que seja apresentada uma procuração separada?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] O Instituto dispensou a exigência de que seja apresentada uma cópia de uma procuração geral?
    Refer to the Office

    [MT] Fase nacional

    [MT] Resumo dos requisitos para entrada na fase nacional

    [MT] Prazos aplicáveis para a entrada na fase nacional :
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    [MT] O Instituto permite a restauração de direitos ( Regra 49.6 do PCT )?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care" criterion.
    Fee for reinstatement
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Tradução do pedido internacional exigida para ( uma das ) línguas seguintes :
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English
    [MT] Conteúdos exigidos da tradução para entrada na fase nacional :
    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)
    [MT] É necessária uma cópia do pedido internacional em circunstâncias especiais?
    Não
    [MT] O Instituto aceita desenhos coloridos de acordo com a sua legislação nacional?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Taxas nacionais :
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    [MT] Taxa de depósito
    400 USD
    [MT] Isenções, reduções ou reembolsos de taxas :
    None
    [MT] Requisitos especiais do Instituto ( Regra 51 bis do PCT ) :
    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 Liberia
    Oath or declaration of the inventor
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    [MT] Quem pode agir como agente?
    Any attorney certified by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) and registered by the Legal Bar Association or any IP agent certified by LIPO
    [MT] O Instituto aceita o efeito da restauração do direito de prioridade pelo Instituto receptor ( Regra 49ter.1 do PCT )?
    Sim
    [MT] O Instituto aceita pedidos de restauração do direito de prioridade ( Regra 49ter.2 do PCT )?
    Yes, the Office applies both the “unintentional” and the “due care” criteria to such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    [MT] LR.01 TRADUÇÃO ( CORREÇÃO )
    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 NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    [MT] LR.02 TAXAS ( MODO DE PAGAMENTO )
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex LR.I.
    [MT] LR.03 REPRESENTAÇÃO
    LPR Sec. 7.2
    An agent must be appointed by filing a power of attorney if the applicant is not resident in Liberia. A model is given in Annex LR.II. If the power of attorney is not filed at the time of entry into the national phase, it may be filed within two months from the expiration of the time limit applicable under Article 22 or 39(1).
    [MT] LR.04 EXAME DE LEITURA
    LPR Sec. 11.1
    The Office will examine or provide for the examination of patent applications as to substance. A request for examination must be filed which is subject to the payment of a fee. The request shall be deemed to have been filed when the examination fee has been paid. Failure to make the request within the prescribed time limit will cause the application to lapse.
    [MT] LR.05 ALTERAÇÃO DOS PEDIDO ; PRAZO
    PCT Artigo 28,
    PCT Artigo 41,
    LPL Sec. 13.6(e)

    Amendments and corrections to the description, claims and drawings may be made at any time during the patent procedure before the grant of the patent provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby.
    [MT] LR.06 TAXAS ANUAIS
    LPL Sec. 13.12(b),
    LPR Sec. 18

    In order to maintain the patent or the patent application, annual fees must be paid in advance for each year , starting one year after the international filing date. The annual maintenance fee shall become due on the eve of each anniversary of the international filing date. A period of grace of six months shall be allowed for the late payment of the annual fee on payment of the prescribed surcharge fee which is indicated in Annex LR.I. If an annual fee is not paid, the patent application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn or the patent shall lapse.
    [MT] LR.07 REESTABELECIMENTO DE DIREITOS
    PCT Rule 49.6,
    LPL Sec. 13.24,
    LPR Sec. 21.1,
    LPR Sec. 21.2,
    LPR Sec. 21.3

    Reinstatement of rights may be requested where the applicant, in spite of due care required by the circumstances having been taken, failed to perform the acts referred to in Article 22(1) or 39(1)(a) within the applicable time limit. Any request for reinstatement of rights, shall be filed in writing within two months of the removal of the cause of non-compliance with the period, but at the latest within six months of expiry of the unobserved time limit. The request for reinstatement of rights shall not be deemed to have been filed until the prescribed fee has been paid. The request shall state the grounds on which it is based and shall set out the facts on which it relies. The omitted act shall be completed within the relevant period for filing the request.
    LR.08 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged with the Office.
    LR.09 RESTORATION OF THE RIGHT OF PRIORITY
    LPL Sec. 13.25
    Where the international application claims the priority of an earlier application and has an international filing date which is later than the date on which the priority period expired but within the period of two months from that date, the Office shall, upon request of the applicant and payment of the prescribed fee, restore the right of priority with respect to that international application if the Office finds that the failure to file the international application within the priority period was unintentional or occurred in spite of due care required by the circumstances having been taken. The Office shall not refuse, totally or in part, a request for restoration of the right of priority without giving the applicant the opportunity to make observations on the intended refusal within a time limit, which shall not be less than three months counted from the date of notification.
    LR.10 APPEALS
    LPR Sec.12.2
    The applicant may lodge an appeal against a decision of the Registrar General to the Director General within two months after the date of notification of the decision to him by the Office. No fee is required.
    LR.11 UTILITY MODEL
    LPL Sec. 13.28
    Subject to what is said in paragraph LR.12, if the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model instead of a patent in Liberia on the basis of an international application, he shall so indicate to the office when performing the acts referred to in PCT Article 22 or 39. A utility model certificate shall expire at the end of the 10th year after the date of the grant of the utility model, and shall not be renewable.
    LR.12 CONVERSION
    LPL Sec. 13.29
    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 or a utility model certificate. Conversion is subject to the payment of a fee which is indicated in Annex LR.I. An application may not be converted more than once.

    Annexes

    Annex LR.I - Fees
    Patents
    Fee for national processing
    400 USD
    Publication fee
    150 USD
    Surcharge for late payment of annual maintenance
    30 USD
    Grant fee for patent
    10 USD
    Conversion of patent to utility model
    50 USD
    Conversion of utility model to patent
    50 USD
    Annual fees:
    — for the 1st year
    40 USD
    — for the 2nd year
    60 USD
    — for the 3rd year
    80 USD
    — for the 4th year
    100 USD
    — for the 5th year
    120 USD
    — for the 6th year
    140 USD
    — for the 7th year
    160 USD
    — for the 8th year
    180 USD
    — for the 9th year
    200 USD
    — for the 10th year
    180 USD
    — for the 11th year
    160 USD
    — for the 12th year
    140 USD
    — for the 13th year
    120 USD
    — for the 14th year
    100 USD
    — for the 15th year
    80 USD
    — for the 16th year
    60 USD
    — for the 17th year
    40 USD
    — for the 18th year
    60 USD
    — for the 19th year
    80 USD
    — for the 20th year
    100 USD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    The payment of fees must be effected in US dollar and should be made by bank draft payable to the Patent and Trade Mark account at the Central Bank of Liberia in Monrovia. All payments must give the application number (national if already known; international if the national number is not yet known).
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex LR.II - Power of attorney
    Annex LR.III - Oath by inventor
    Current version applicable from 1 de janeiro de 2026 , printed on 12 de fevereiro de 2026
    2.2 #71 - 2026-02-10T18:40:34.131+01:00