OAPI Trade Mark Registrations

African Intellectual Property Organisation (AIPO/OAPI) - The member States are Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoro Island, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo,

One application automatically covers all member states.  It is not possible to obtain national registrations or renewal in any one member state.

1. Filing requirements
   1. Full name, street address and description of the applicant (including trading style, if any, and state/country of incorporation, if incorporated).
   2. List of goods and/or services.
   3. A simply signed power of attorney.
   4. Clear print of device mark.
   5. If priority is claimed:  Certified copy of home application/registration.
      
      
2. Classification
   1. The 11th Edition of the International Classification (Nice Agreement) is followed. 
   2. Multiclass – Yes.
   3. Goods and service classes must be filed separately to obtain the 3 class fees.
      
      
3. General
   1. Duration: 10 years from date of application and renewable for further periods of 10 years (even if priority is claimed).
   2. Use: Although proof of use is no longer required for renewal purposes, non-use of the trade mark within 5 years from the application date may render the mark vulnerable to expungement.
   3. Marking: Not compulsory but advisable.
   4. Licenses: Compulsory.
   5. Assignments of applications are permitted.
   6. Searches available within approximately 10-14 working days from instruction and are conducted on an online official register.
      
      
4. Costs USD
   1. a) Application: 1 trade mark in 1 - 3 classes: $1800, additional classes above 3 filed simultaneously $320 each.
      ***additional surcharge for colour device: $200 per mark ***
      b) Additional marks filed simultaneously: $1750 each.
      c) Claiming priority: $250.
      
      
   2. Assignment: First trade mark $1240, additional trade marks filed simultaneously $950 each.
   3. Change of name or address: First trade mark $900, additional trade marks filed simultaneously $810 each.
   4. a) Renewal: First trade mark/class $1700, additional classes renewed simultaneously $370 each.
      b) Renewal: additional marks renewed simultaneously: $1600 each.
      c) Renewal: Late renewal fine: $460.
   5. a) Searches: 1 mark in 1 class:  $800; additional classes $300 each.
      b) Spot search: $450 per mark.

* Please note: Separate applications are required for Goods & Service classes.
** Above quotations exclude courier charges.
*** Please note that the application fee covers the filing costs and normal prosecution of the application only. Additional costs could well arise upon examination of the application which are difficult to estimate as it would depend on the various requirements raised by the Registrar i.e. disclaimers, admissions etc.