WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide MZ - Mozambique
Industrial Property Institute (IPI) (Mozambique)

    Applicable as from 29 October 2024
    (published on 29 October 2024)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    GENERAL INFO: Payment methods
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: National phase, Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights
    List of changes

    All available versions

    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: Industrial Property Institute (IPI) (Mozambique)
    IPC: Industrial Property Code, Decree No 47/2015
    List of currencies used in this document:
    MZM (Mozambican metical)
    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
    Article 64(5)
    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:
    Mozambique
    Two-letter code:
    MZ
    Name of Office:
    Industrial Property Institute (IPI) (Mozambique)
    Location:
    Rua Consiglieri Pedroso 165
    P.O. Box 1072
    Maputo
    Mozambique
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    (258-21) 354 900
    (258-82) 301 43 74
    (258-84) 300 62 15
    E-mail:
    ipi@ipi.gov.mz
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    (258-21) 354 944
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    Yes, by e-mail or facsimile
    Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
    All kinds of documents
    Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
    Yes, within one month from the date of the transmission
    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
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    National protection: MZ
    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:
    Deposit account, bank transfer and debit card.
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    Provisional protection (refer to Article 82 of the Industrial Property Code) applies as from the date of the publication of a notice (with a summary description of the patent) in the Industrial Property Bulletin.
    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 the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit 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(3): 31 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, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care” criterion.
    Fee for reinstatement
    3,000 MZM
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Portuguese
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    If not furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), may still be furnished or paid within a further time limit of 90 days
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, 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, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    A copy is required only if the applicant expressly requests an earlier start of the national phase under PCT Article 23(2) at a time when the applicant has not received Form PCT/IB/308 and the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau under PCT Article 20
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Yes
    National fees:
    If not furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), may still be furnished or paid within a further time limit of 90 days
    Patents
    Filing fee
    8,100 MZM
    Annual fees:
    Must be paid when entering the national phase.
    — for the 1st year
    1,275 MZM
    — for the 2nd year
    1,725 MZM
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    2,775 MZM
    Annual fees:
    Must be paid when entering the national phase.
    — for the 1st and the 2nd year
    per year 1,275 MZM
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    Applicants may, if the Director of the Office so orders, be entitled to a reduction or exemption of certain fees. Such requests must be made prior to entering the national phase (IPC, Articles 233 and 234)
    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.
    Document evidencing a change of name of the applicant if the change occurred after the international filing date and has not been reflected in the international publication or in a notification from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306)
    Instrument of assignment if the applicant is not the inventor
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Mozambique
    Who can act as agent?
    Any patent attorney or patent agent registered to practice before the Office and resident in Mozambique
    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)?
    Please refer to the Office.

    The procedure in the national Phase

    MZ.01 FORM FOR ENTERING THE NATIONAL PHASE
    IPC Art. 7
    The Office has a special form available for entering the national phase (refer to Annex MZ.II). This form should preferably be used.
    MZ.02 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 NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    MZ.03 TRANSLATION (LATE FURNISHING OF)
    IPC Art. 11,
    IPC Art. 62

    If the translation of the description and claims has not been furnished within the 31-month time limit applicable under PCT Article 22(3) or 39(1)(b), it may still be furnished within a further period of 90 days.
    MZ.04 INFORMATION CONCERNING CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
    IPC Art. 60
    The applicant shall inform the Office of the date and number of any application for a patent filed by him abroad relating to the same or essentially the same invention as that claimed in the application filed with the Office and must furnish the following documents to the Office:
    (i) a copy of any search report on the corresponding foreign application;
    (ii) a copy of the patent granted to the corresponding foreign application;
    (iii) a copy of any final or provisional decision to refuse or grant the foreign application;
    (iv) a copy of any decision to grant a patent on the basis of the foreign application.
    MZ.05 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    IPC Art. 230,
    IPC Art. 231,
    IPC Art. 232,
    IPC Art. 233,
    IPC Art. 234,
    IPC Art. 235,
    IPC Art. 236,
    IPC Art. 237,
    IPC Art. 238

    The manner of payment referred to in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex MZ.I.
    MZ.06 RENEWAL FEES
    IPC Art. 231
    The first two annuities in respect of patents and utility models shall be paid at the time of entering the national phase. Subsequent annuities shall be paid during the last six months of each year, counting from the date on which the right has been granted. The amounts of the renewal fees are shown in Annex MZ.I.
    MZ.07 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41

    The applicant may, at any time before a patent is granted, make amendments to the application, provided that the amendment does not go beyond the disclosure in the initial application.
    MZ.08 REVIEW UNDER PCT ARTICLE 25
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase.
    MZ.09 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2)

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase.
    MZ.10 UTILITY MODEL
    PCT Article 4(3),
    PCT Article 43,
    PCT Article 44,
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(a),
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(b),
    PCT Rule 76.5

    If the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model in Mozambique for international applications instead of a patent, he shall so indicate to the Office when performing the acts referred to in Article 22 or 39.
    IPC Art. 96,
    IPC Art.101,
    IPC Art.103

    If the international application is for a utility model instead of a patent, the procedural processes for patents shall be applicable in respect of utility models with the possibility of annual renewal. The maximum term of protection for a utility model in Mozambique is 15 years. The amounts of the annual renewal fees are shown in Annex MZ.I.
    MZ.11 CONVERSION
    IPC Art. 65,
    IPC Art.99

    Prior to the examination of the application, the applicant may change the application for a patent into an application for a utility model. Before the examination stage of the application, the applicant may transform a utility model application into a patent application, against payment of the applicable fee.

    Annexes

    Annex MZ.I - Fees
    Patents
    Filing fee
    8,100 MZM
    Annual fees:
    — for the 1st year
    1,275 MZM
    — for the 2nd year
    1,725 MZM
    — for the 3rd year
    2,100 MZM
    — for the 4th year
    2,250 MZM
    — for the 5th year
    2,850 MZM
    — for the 6th year
    3,000 MZM
    — for the 7th year
    3,450 MZM
    — for the 8th year
    3,750 MZM
    — for the 9th year
    4,350 MZM
    — for the 10th year
    4,800 MZM
    — for the 11th year
    5,400 MZM
    — for the 12th year
    5,925 MZM
    — for the 13th year
    6,375 MZM
    — for the 14th year
    6,975 MZM
    — for the 15th year
    7,275 MZM
    — for the 16th year
    7,800 MZM
    — for the 17th year
    8,550 MZM
    — for the 18th year
    8,850 MZM
    — for the 19th year
    9,150 MZM
    — for the 20th year
    10,125 MZM
    — 6 months extension surcharge for renewal
    50% of fee to be paid
    — Revalidation
    Triple of fee to be paid
    Utility Models:
    Filing fee
    2,775 MZM
    Annual fees:
    — from the 1st to 5th year
    1,275 MZM
    — from the 6th to 10th year
    2,325 MZM
    — from the 11th to 15th year
    4,125 MZM
    — 6 months extension surcharge for renewal
    50% of fee to be paid
    — Revalidation
    Triple of fee to be paid
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All payments must give the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid, by means of a special payment slip for treasury transactions (also refer to IPC Art. 231 and 232).
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex MZ.II - National processing request form
    Current version applicable from 29 Oct 2024 , printed on 17 Oct 2025
    2.2 #31 - 2025-10-15T11:58:01.602+02:00