The procedures for the protection of industrial property and copyright are essentially similar, however, the requirements differ, with some applications more complex than others. The most intricate procedures are for patents of invention and utility models.
Granting of an industrial property right involves certain steps like registration and publication as well as evidencing protection. The procedure for protection starts with the submission of an application. The contents of application vary with the category of intellectual property right as do the requirements for attachments. All applications are examined by the ORG to ensure compliance with the requirements of the law.
Intellectual property is divided into industrial property rights and copyrights and related rights.
Industrial property rights are divided into:
- Patents of invention
- Utility model certificate
- Industrial designs and models
- Layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits
- Marks; collective marks; certification marks; trade names
- Geographical indications
Copyrights are divided into;
- Literary works
- Musical works
- Computer programs
- dramatic and dramatico-music works
- choreographic works
- audiovisual works
- works of drawing, painting, sculpture, lithography, tapestry and other works of fine art
- works of architecture
- photographic works, including works made by means similar to photographic process
- works of applied art such as handicraft
- illustrations, maps, plains, sketches and 3-D works relating to geography, topography, architecture or science
- works of Rwandan folklore
