Intellectual Property Advocates in Nairobi, Kenya

Intellectual property law protects creations of the human mind giving creators and business owners legal rights to control, use, and earn from their inventions, brands, art, and confidential business methods for a defined period. Intellectual property is a genuine business asset, whether as a direct source of income or as something that can be licensed to generate a recurring revenue stream. Whether you need a trademark registered, a patent enforced, or your Intellectual property commercialised, Ondieki & Matoke Company Advocates can help.

The Legal Framework

  • The Industrial Property Act — Handles standard patents, utility models, and industrial designs.
  • The Copyright Act — Manages artistic and literary works, including books, music, art, and software.
  • The Trade Marks Act — Protects commercial symbols and brand identities.
  • Regulatory Bodies — IP registration and enforcement in Kenya is led by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), with ongoing legislative steps toward forming a unified IP authority.
  • International Conventions — Kenya’s framework operates alongside international conventions including the TRIPS Agreement, the Paris Convention, and the Berne Convention, which extend certain protections and priority rights beyond Kenya’s borders.
Intellectual Property Law

Core Types of Intellectual Property

  • Copyright — Guards original creative work, including books, music, art, and computer software.
  • Patents — Protects new technical inventions and practical machines, giving the holder exclusive rights to produce, use, or sell the invention for a set period.
  • Trademarks — Secures brand names, logos, and slogans, giving the exclusive right to use them and preventing competitors from using something confusingly similar.
  • Trade Secrets — Keeps vital business methods, formulas, or processes confidential and protected from competitors.

Our Intellectual Property Services

  • Trademark Registration: Your brand identity sets you apart from the competition. Registering it gives you the exclusive right to use your brand name, logo, or slogan, and prevents others from copying or using something confusingly similar in your industry.
  • Copyright Protection: Your creative works literature, music, software are protected by copyright, giving you exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display them. You can also license third parties to use your work. Registering your copyright helps you maintain control over how it’s used and protects you from unauthorized use.
  • Patent Registration: Innovation drives businesses forward and protecting your inventions keeps your competitive advantage intact. A patent gives you the exclusive right to produce, use, or sell your invention for a set period, preventing competitors from using it without permission. We help you navigate the patent system from application through to grant.
  • IP Licensing & Commercialization: Your intellectual property can generate significant revenue when licensed or sold. Licensing allows others to use your IP while you earn royalties, opening new revenue streams and expanding your market reach. We offer strategic advice on structuring licensing and commercialization deals to maximize the value of what you’ve created.
  • IP Litigation & Enforcement: When someone infringes on your intellectual property rights, we help enforce them and pursue compensation for financial losses, general damage, and reputational harm. Our team manages IP disputes both in court and through alternative dispute resolution, depending on what serves your interests best.
Intellectual Property Law services

Who We Support

Our Intellectual property practice supports startups and tech companies, creative artists and content creators, fashion and beauty brands, manufacturers and exporters, NGOs and academic institutions, software developers, innovators, and individuals and businesses across every sector where original ideas and brands carry real value.

Why Ondieki & Matoke Company Advocates

  • Direct access to your advocate throughout not a call centre or a junior clerk.
  • Practical guidance on which form of protection actually fits what you’ve created, not a one-size-fits-all registration process.
  • Strategic advice on commercialising your IP, not just registering and filing it away.
  • A transparent process and fee structure, explained clearly before work begins.
Intellectual Property Lawyers in Nairobi

What to Expect — Our Process

  • Initial consultation — you share what you’ve created and what protection you’re looking for.
  • Assessment — we identify the right form of protection (trademark, copyright, patent, or trade secret) for your specific asset.
  • Filing — we prepare and lodge the registration application with KIPI or KECOBO, as applicable.
  • Follow-through — we track the application and respond to any office actions or objections raised.
  • Ongoing protection — once registered, we’re available for licensing advice or enforcement action if your rights are infringed.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a trademark in Kenya?

Trademark registration in Kenya is handled through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). The process involves a search to confirm the mark is available, filing the application, and responding to any objections raised during examination before the mark is published and, if unopposed, registered.

How long does trademark registration take in Kenya?

Timelines vary depending on whether objections or oppositions arise during the process, but a straightforward, unopposed application typically takes several months from filing to registration. Complex or contested applications can take considerably longer.

What is the difference between a trademark, patent, and copyright?

A trademark protects brand identifiers like names, logos, and slogans. A patent protects new technical inventions and how they work. Copyright protects original creative works like writing, music, and software. Each protects a different kind of creation, and some businesses need more than one type of protection for different assets.

Do I need to register copyright in Kenya for it to be protected?

Copyright protection generally arises automatically once an original work is created, but registering it with the Kenya Copyright Board creates an official record that makes enforcement significantly more straightforward if your rights are ever infringed.

What can I do if someone infringes on my intellectual property?

Options typically include a cease-and-desist demand, negotiation for a licensing arrangement, or formal enforcement through litigation or alternative dispute resolution, depending on the nature of the infringement and what outcome you’re seeking — whether that’s stopping the use, recovering damages, or both.

Call now for a Free Consultation

Contact

0710942629 / 0736677646 / omaadvocates@gmail.com / info@omaadvocates.co.ke

Office

A.C.K. Garden Annex, 1st Ngong Avenue, Ground Floor, Suite 04, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya

Open Hours

Monday-Saturday 8 am – 5pm
Weekends on Appointments only.