How to trade mark your name, fashion or even logo

If you are dropping hot music, starting a fashion line, or launching the next big tech app, starting your business or protecting your brand in Kenya is non-negotiable.

A registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to your logo, name, or slogan, so no one else can copy your vibe or ride your wave.

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From your streetwear label to your YouTube channel, a registered mark keeps your hustle legit and legally enforceable.

Thanks to KIPO (Kenya Industrial Property Office), the process is now smooth, mostly online, and faster than ever in 2025.

Do a trademark search

Before you file, check if someone else isn’t already flexing your name or logo. Jump on the KIPO portal https://portal.kipokenya.go.ke, register an account, and run a preliminary search.

You can also request an official search using Form TM 27 for Ksh3,000. If your mark’s similar to another in your class, your application gets bounced, and that’s a waste of cash.

Pro tip: Artists, DJs, and creators should double-check for song names, stage names, or clothing brands that might clash.

Pick the right class

Kenya has 45 classes under the Nice Classification system, 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services.

Got a clothing line? Music production? App development? Choose all relevant classes now so your brand stays fully protected.

Multi-class filings are allowed and smart for anyone building a lifestyle empire.

Prepare your docs

You will need your ID or company registration, a clear representation of your logo, and a full list of goods/services. Artists claiming international priority? Bring certified copies of your foreign filings.

Power of Attorney (Form TM 1) is needed but does not need notarization. For bands or labels, make sure your logo files are crisp; JPEG or PNG works best.

File Your Application

Submit via the KIPO portal (fastest route) or physically at the KIPO offices in Nairobi. Pay fees online with M-Pesa, card, or bank.

Local single-class: Ksh4,000 application + Ksh3,000 advertisement. Add 50 per cent per extra class. Foreign applicants: Ksh58,050.

KIPO examines your application for completeness, then substantively for originality. If approved, your mark is published in the Kenya Industrial Property Journal for a 60-day opposition window. If no one challenges you, your brand is safe.

After clearing opposition (or winning a dispute), pay Ksh5,000 per class (local) and download your digital certificate. Boom, your logo, name, or slogan is fully protected and enforceable nationwide.

Trademarks last ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. Renew six months before expiry to keep your brand locked down.

From streetwear brands to music labels and tech apps, registering your trademark in Kenya ensures you own your hustle legally.