The National Institute of Industrial Property of Angola (IAPI-AO) will use and accept the list of terms from the harmonised database of product indications (HDBPI) in DESIGNClass, as of 30 October 2023. DESIGNClass is an online search tool for harmonized product indications, and offers users the opportunity to search and translate product indications in 30 languages.
The IAPI-AO will also use the list of terms from the Harmonised Data Base (HBD) for trade marks classification in TMClass. TMClass is a search tool for classification of goods and services for trade mark protection purposes. It provides access to the HDB and allows users to search and translate classification terms in 37 languages.
17 IP offices outside the EU now use HDBPI in DESIGNClass, bringing the total number of participating IP offices to 43. While TMClass, including the use of the HDB, is used by 31 non-EU offices.
The IAPI-AO decision to join DESIGNClass and extend the coverage of TMClass is an important step by the office to continue building investor and intellectual property holder’s confidence in the region, and align the operation of the IAPI-AO with international standards. Elsewhere in Africa, it is used in Uganda and the French-speaking West African countries in the OAPI regional system.
