Trademarks: OAPI
General Information
OAPI - is the African Intellectual Property Organization covering Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equtorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
International Agreements : Paris Convention
Classification : Nice Classification (8th Edition); Multi-Class filings. However, Goods & services cannot be combined in the same application.
What is Registrable : Trademarks, Service Marks & Collective Marks.
What is Not Registrable : Series Marks & Defensive Marks.
Priority under Paris Convention : Yes
Examination : Yes - Formal examination
Publication : Yes – in the Official Bulletin
Opposition : Yes – within 6 months after publication
Time Frame for Registration : 18 Months
Registration Term : 10 Years – as of filing date
Renewal Term : 10 Years
Grace Period for Renewals : 6 Months
Cancellation : Yes – non-use for 5 years following application will render the mark vulnerable for cancellation.
Marking Requirements : None
Assignments - Must Assignments be recorded ? Yes
Licenses - Must Licenses be recorded ? Yes
Filing Requirements
Trademark/Service Mark Requirements
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- 10 prints of the mark.
- Certified copy of Priority document (if claimed).
Renewal of Trademark/Service Mark Requirements
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- Details of the Mark.
Assignment Recordal Requirements
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- (A) In the case of an assignment, Deed of Assignment drawn by and signed by both parties before a Notary Public, with verified French or English translation.
(B) In the case of a merger, Certificate of Merger, with verified French or English translation.
License Recordal Requirements
- Powers of Attorney, simply signed, from proprietor and licensee.
- License Agreement which should be drawn by and signed by both parties before a Notary Public, with verified French or English translation.
Change of Name/Address Requirements
- Power of Attorney simply signed.
- Certificate of Change of Name and/or Address.