- July 26, 2023
A Comprehensive Overview of OAPI Trademark
The OAPI trademark is a unified trademark system in Africa that is administered by the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). It is a one-stop shop for filing and registering trademarks across the sixteen countries that are members of the organization. This system eliminates the need to file separate trademark applications in each of the member countries, streamlining the process and making it more cost-effective.
The OAPI trademark search & registration or OAPI patent filing system is governed by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Protocol on Marks and the OAPI Common Regulations for the Registration of Marks. These protocols provide for the unified registration of trademarks. The registration process requires a filing fee of Euro 400 and a declaration of distinctiveness, which includes a written description of the goods or services for which the trademark is intended. The application must also include a specimen of the trademark.
Once the application is filed, it is examined for compliance with the ARIPO Protocol on Marks and the OAPI Common Regulations. If accepted, a formal registration is granted and the trademark is published in the OAPI Official Gazette. The registration is valid for an initial period of seven years and is renewable for periods of fourteen years.
The OAPI trademark system provides a way for businesses to protect their brands and distinguish their products in the African marketplace. It is an efficient way to protect trademarks in multiple African countries. For businesses that are interested in entering the African market, the OAPI trademark system is an important and necessary step in the process.
