The OAPI IP Office recently published a notice informing of the launch of a pilot project to test a new online filing system that is earmarked to go live in 2021. This system would allow for the online filing of applications to register trade marks and also...
While the revised Bangui Agreement is yet to come into force, pending the ratification by the OAPI member states, OAPI has advised that certain annexes to the revised Agreement will come into force with effect from 14 November 2020. These Annexes are, Annex VI on...
OAPI Patents Filed 2009 – 2019 Cases granting within six months Currently, OAPI patent applications are subject only to formal examination. Consequently, patent applications can proceed to grant quickly, in some cases as early as six months from filing and without any...
The COVID19 pandemic has impacted quite dramatically on the operations IP and other government offices in Africa and the rest of the world. Most Trade Marks Registries that have suffered intermittent closures and other interruptions due to national lockdowns or...
It is hoped that a revision of the terms and functionality of the Bangui Agreement, subject to ratification by all member states of OAPI, will bring significant changes to the prosecution and litigation procedures in respect of trade marks, as well as OAPI’s administration of these processes.
The OAPI IP Office recently published a notice informing trade mark owners, agents and all other users of the OAPI regional system that the Trade Marks Registry applies the current version of the Nice Classification system as adopted by WIPO, namely the 11th edition (2019 version).
It has recently been resolved that the OAPI Directorate of Intellectual Property be divided into two separate directorates. One for Trade Marks and another for Patents and Designs. Directors have already been appointed who will be in charge of the two directorates....
All new trade marks filed at the OAPI IP Office had to comply with the 11th edition of the Nice Classification System as of 30 April 2017. In previous editions of the Classification system, Class 42 included services such as “providing of food and drink; temporary...
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