WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide NA - Namibia
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) (Namibia)

    Applicable as from 14 March 2025
    (published on 14 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: Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) (Namibia)
    List of currencies used in this document:
    NAD (Namibia 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:
    Namibia
    Two-letter code:
    NA
    Name of Office:
    Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) (Namibia)
    Location:
    188 Sam Nujoma Drive
    Windhoek
    Namibia
    Mailing address:
    P.O.Box 185
    Windhoek
    Namibia
    Telephone:
    (264-61) 299 44 00
    E-mail:
    info@bipa.na
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    (264-61) 401 061
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    Yes, by facsimile
    Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
    All kinds of documents
    Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
    No, 
    only upon invitation in the case of certain documents
    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: NA
    ARIPO protection: AP
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    National:
    Patents
    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:
    May be in the request or may be furnished later. 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(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
    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, both as originally filed and as amended), 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?
    No
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Patents
    Filing fee
    12 NAD
    Renewal fee:
    — for the 3rd to the 6th year
    per year 8 NAD
    — for the 7th to the 9th year
    per year 12 NAD
    — for the 10th to the 20th year
    per year 20 NAD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    The applicant must be represented in all cases. An instrument appointing the agent (authorization or power of attorney) is required
    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.
    Translation of the international application to be furnished in one single copy
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    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 two months from the date of the invitation by the Office.
    Evidence of entitlement to file where 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.
    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 two months from the date of the invitation by the Office.
    Evidence of entitlement to claim priority where the applicant is not the applicant who filed the earlier application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    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 two months from the date of the invitation by the Office.
    Document evidencing a change of name or person of the applicant if the change occurred after the international filing date and has not been reflected in a notification from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306)
    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 two months from the date of the invitation by the Office.
    Furnishing, where applicable, of a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing and/or tables related thereto in electronic form
    Who can act as agent?
    Any attorney or lawyer registered in Namibia
    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

    Information not yet available

    Annexes

    Annex NA.I - Fees
    Information not yet available
    Forms
    Please refer to the Office.
    Current version applicable from 14 Mar 2025 , printed on 22 May 2025
    2.1 #12 - 2025-05-20T15:31:04.965+02:00