The protection of intellectual property rights shall include all matters affecting the
availability, acquisition, scope, maintenance and enforcement of intellectual property rights,
penalty awarded in case of non compliance as well as other matters affecting the use of
intellectual property rights.
Article 2: Objective of intellectual property protection
The protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights intend to:
1° contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and
dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of
technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare of
population, and to a balance of rights and obligations;
2° create a fair and equitable commercial environment by the reduction and the prevention of
distortions and impediments to free trade and to set up principles, rules and disciplines
dealing with trade in counterfeit goods.
In particular:
1° to encourage innovations and new inventions and their industrial or commercial use, in the
Republic of Rwanda, so as to contribute to industrial and commercial development.
2° to encourage creation of original works in literary artistic or scientific fields and their use,
in the Republic of Rwanda, so as to contribute to cultural, social economic, development of
the population.
Article 3: Basic meanings
In accordance with provisions of this Law, “intellectual property” shall mean:
1° the rights relating to literary, artistic and scientific works,
2° the rights of performances of performing artists,
3° rights relating to phonograms,
4° wireless broadcasting,
5° inventions in all fields of human endeavor, to scientific discoveries,
6° industrial designs and models,
7° trademarks and service marks,
8° commercial names and designations,
9° protection against unfair competition;
10° any other rights resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary or
artistic fields.