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Abstract
The manufacturing industry in Nigeria is expanding rapidly, which makes the protection of trademarks and other intellectual property very important. The Trade Marks Act 1965 is the current legislation regulating the registration and maintenance of trademarks. It is based on the UK Trade Marks Act 1938. The registration of service trademarks is not allowed under the law. The proposed industrial property legislation would, however, make the registration of service marks possible. Upon receipt of an application for the registration of the trademark, the registrar shall cause an availability search to be made in the register of registered trademarks and pending applications. On completion of the search, the registrar may refuse the application, may accept it absolutely, or may subject it to amendments, modifications, conditions, or limitations. The registration is for an initial period of 7 years from the date of the application, irrespective of when the certificate of registration is issued.