The African Intellectual Property Organization
The African Intellectual Property Organization widely known by its French acronym as “OAPI” was created by the Bangui Agreement of March, 2nd, 1977, and subsequently amended in 1999 is responsible for implementing and applying the common administrative procedures deriving from a uniform system for the protection of industrial property, as well as the provision of international agreements in this field to which the member states of the Organization have acceded, and avoiding services related to industrial property. SAMA Patrick IP & LEGAL ADVISORY is duly accredited amongst others to practice intellectual property and similar matters as defined hereunder at the OAPI region.
The Organization further seeks to centralize, coordinate, and disseminate information of all kinds relating to the protection of literary and artistic property and it also seeks to promote economic development of its member states notably by means of effective protection of intellectual and related rights. The Bangui Agreement contains ten (10) Annexes, which is applicable in its entirety to every State that ratifies it.
The Annexes
Patent – Utility models – Trademark and service marks – Industrial designs – Trade names – Geographical indications – Literary and artistic property – Protection against unfair competition – Layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits – Plant variety protection – Copyrights – IP Watch and monitory services.
