OAPI Trademark Registration: A Guide for Brand Owners

If you want to register a trademark in Africa’s French-speaking countries, you need to file an application with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). Before applying for OAPI trademark registration, you need to analyze whether your desired jurisdiction is a member of the organization.

You also need to have a certain level of knowledge about the OAPI trademark registration requirements and procedures. An international brand owner seeking to protect a trademark in OAPI countries may find this challenging.

However, hiring the best trademark agents offering OAPI trademark services can help you. In this blog, we will guide you on how to register a trademark in OAPI countries and other relevant guidelines.  Read ahead for more insights:

Who are the OAPI members?

The OAPI union is composed of the following countries in the Africa region:

1. Benin
2. Burkina Faso
3. Cameroon
4. Central African Republic
5. Chad
6. Equatorial Guinea
7. Gabon
8. Guinea
9. Guinea-Bissau
10.  Ivory Coast
11. Mali
12. Mauritania
13. Niger
14. Senegal
15. Togo
16. Congo Republic

Can you select specific OAPI countries for trademark registration?

The most unique feature of OAPI trademark registration is that a single application will automatically be effective in all member states. This is because the OAPI member states do not have national intellectual property (IP) offices. Therefore brand owners can’t designate specific OAPI countries for getting a trademark registered. Trademark agents in OAPI can help you with filing the application.

Trademark Search Requirement in OAPI

It is not mandatory to conduct a trademark search in OAPI. However, it is advisable to avoid conflicts with already registered OAPI trademarks. For example, if your trademark is identical or similar to an existing one the owner of the senior mark can file an objection against your application. You may have to rebrand your trademark and you will lose your precious time and money.

Does OAPI follow a multi-class system?

OAPI follows a multi-class trademark registration system that allows you to file multiple classes in a single application. However, when an application covers both goods and services separate applications are mandatory. OAPI doesn’t permit the filing of goods and services on a single application. Trademark agents in OAPI can help you select the appropriate classes for your trademark.

OAPI Trademark Document Requirements

Before filing the trademark application, you need to prepare and gather all the relevant documents required for registering a trademark in OAPI. Trademark agents in OAPI can advise you on the mandatory documents and information to register a trademark. Have a look at the checklist below:

• Trademark in PDF format
• List of Goods/Services
• A scanned copy Certificate of Incorporation
• A scanned copy of the Passport of the Authorized Signatory
• Simply signed Power of Attorney (PoA)

Trademark Registration Process in OAPI

The following steps describe how to register a trademark in OAPI:

1. Select a distinctive trademark
2. Perform a trademark search
3. Select appropriate trademark classes
4. Submit the application along with the documents
5. OAPI examines the trademark
6. The trademark gets published
7. Six months lock-in period to file opposition
8. Issuance of OAPI trademark certificate

OAPI Trademark Timeframes

If your OAPI trademark application faces no objection, the registration process may usually take between 10-14 months. A trademark registered in OAPI will be valid for 10 years from the date of filing the application. It can be renewed for 10-year periods after paying the mandatory fee. IP firms in OAPI can help you register and renew trademarks in the region.

Hire the Best Trademark Agents in OAPI

Registering a trademark in OAPI countries can be challenging for brand owners. However, providers of the best trademark services in OAPI such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP) can help you navigate the process and meet the requirements.

JIP’s trademark agents are well-versed in OAPI regulations and standard procedures. We can guide you through every step of the OAPI trademark registration process. JIP offers tailored solutions to address the unique challenges of trademark registration in OAPI countries. Hire our trademark registration services to protect your brand across all the OAPI-member countries with confidence.