It was established in 2003 to provide legal protection for Intellectual property (IP) rights.

[3] It is responsible for maintaining intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

On 19 July 2004, Ethiopia enacted the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation No.

[4] The EIPO has a main objective to maintain intellectual property of Ethiopia and expanding laws and regulations.

According to the Director-general Ermias Yemanebirhan, these laws have "laid the foundation of the recognition, certification, and protection of all forms of intellectual property rights".