OGAPI Intensifies Trade Name Enforcement in Nkok Zone
Additional Topics:
Gabon is reinforcing trade name protection through targeted enforcement measures
OGAPI INTENSIFIES TRADE NAME ENFORCEMENT IN NKOK ZONE
From 1 to 10 April 2026, the Gabonese Industrial Property Office (OGAPI) carried out a compliance and awareness campaign in the Nkok Special Investment Zone, covering nearly 28 businesses and focusing on the legal availability and conformity of trade names in use.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to curb unfair competition, commercial identity theft and counterfeiting, with OGAPI noting that unregistered trade names expose businesses to legal and reputational risk.
Under Gabonese law, trade name and trade mark registration with OGAPI is mandatory, conferring exclusive rights and legal certainty across all 17 OAPI member states for a renewable ten year period, and supporting a more secure and competitive business environment.
Niger accedes to the Marrakesh Treaty
The Republic of Niger, a member state of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), has acceded to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, V...
August 19 2026
OAPI highlights IP’s role in African craft innovation
At the Ninth International Handicrafts Fair of Cameroon (SIARC 2026), held in Yaoundé from 27 July to 5 August, the OAPI showcased the importance of IP protection in promoting innovation and competit...
August 19 2026
Côte d’Ivoire hosts fourth Africa GI training programme
OAPI has launched the fourth edition of the Africa GI Training programme in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together 18 participants from 13 member states. The programme aims to strengthen experti...
August 19 2026