Explore IP Landscape:

Malawi

Malawi has been a member of WIPO since 1970 and is a signatory to over 10 WIPO treaties.

The national IP offices of Malawi are the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) and the Department of Registrar General at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The offices are located in Lilongwe and Blantyre respectively.

Contact information

Intellectual property landscape: Malawi

WIPO memberships

Membership of WIPO treaties and WIPO bodies
Treaty notifications
National statements at WIPO assemblies

IP legal information

WIPO lex database for IP laws, regulations, judgements and treaties

IP statistics

Statistical IP profile including data on patent, utility models, trademark and industrial design applications

IP cooperation

Global Innovation Index ranking

Malawi ranks 125th among the 140 economies featured in the GII 2025.

The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities. Consisting of roughly 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs and outputs, the GII aims to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation.

Learn more

Year	GII position	Innovation inputs	Innovation outputs
2025	125th	122nd	131st
2021	107th	118th	93rd
2020	111th	114th	103rd

Use of WIPO global IP services & products: Malawi

Patents

PATENTSCOPE

The PATENTSCOPE database provides access to published international PCT applications in full-text on the day of publication, patent documents from participating national and regional offices, and non-patent literature.
Office of origin - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System in: Malawi
Designated office - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System seeking protection in: Malawi

PCT System – the international patent system

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows inventors to apply for patent protection in over 150 countries through a single procedure.
PCT eGuide: Detailed information on requirements relating to PCT applications
ePCT office profile: Details on IP office procedures in the context of the PCT electronic filings system (ePCT)

Trademarks

Global Brand Database

The Global Brand Database provides access to international trademarks under the Madrid System, appellations of origin and geographical indications under the Lisbon System, emblems under 6ter, and trademarks from participating national and regional offices.
Office of origin - Search trademark applications filed through the Madrid System in: Malawi
Designated office - Search trademark applications filed through the Madrid System seeking protection in: Malawi
National trademarks - Search the national trademark collection for: Malawi
Search appellations of origin applications filed through the Lisbon System in: Malawi
Search emblems applications filed through Article 6ter in: Malawi
Search domain name disputes related to complainants and respondents in: Malawi

Madrid System – the international trademark system

The Madrid System allows to apply for and manage trademark protection in over 130 countries through one system and a single set of fees.
Madrid System Member Profile: Detailed information on Madrid system-related operations and procedures of the IP Office

WIPO news and events: Malawi

News

All news