THE HAT OF SAPONÉ PROTECTED AS A GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
The Saponé Hat, dating back to the 13th century, is produced by Burkino Faso’s Saponé community and is integrated as part of their cultural and historical identity.
On 12 April 2022, the Saponé community received certification for the hat as a protected geographical indication. The registration certificate was handed to the local authorities of the Saponé community by officials at OAPI, making it the first registration of its kind for Burkino Faso.
The Minister of Industrial Development, Trade, Handicrafts, and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the OAPI, Abdoulaye Tall, has welcomed the protection stating: “It is an object that beyond its origin has become a symbol of Burkinabe culture and an object of national pride.”
Source: Burkina: “If someone imports the Saponé Hat, it becomes counterfeit” (burkina24.com)
#AD OR #ATRISK? What the Arb's Influencer Ruling Means for Brand Owners
As consumers increasingly turn to social media for recommendations, influencer marketing has become one of the fastest-growing and most influential forms of advertising and one of the most valuable to...
August 13 2026
The Art of Choosing a Trade Mark
For many business owners, choosing a name for a new business venture is an exciting stage of building a brand. However, it is also one of the most important decisions you will make, as your trade name...
August 12 2026
Can You Recognise a Brand by Colour Alone? The Latest Instagram Trend Says Yes – But Trade Mark Law Isn't Quite So Simple
Instagram’s latest branding trend is simple: remove the logo, remove the name, and leave only colour swatches to choose from. Surprisingly, as it would appear from the comments and user engageme...
August 07 2026