Expert Trademark Attorneys in OAPI

At Nextmark Attorneys, we specialize in Trademark Registration in OAPI, helping businesses and individuals secure their intellectual property rights. Our experienced Trademark Attorneys handle every step of the trademark process, from conducting a comprehensive trademark search to filing and renewing trademarks in compliance with the OAPI Intellectual Property Office regulations.

OAPI stands for Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle for French-speaking African Countries.

The member countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoro Islands, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Why Register a Trademark in OAPI?

Registering a trademark in OAPI grants your business exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or slogan in your industry. This protection helps prevent unauthorized use, counterfeit risks, and brand dilution. Our team ensures a smooth trademark filing process, securing your legal rights and business identity.

Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), is the union of French Speaking African countries mandated to register and monitor Intellectual property of the member states. The Organisation has an established common intellectual property laws and a single Intellectual Property Office, situated at Yaoundé, Cameroon, to have effect in all member countries.

 

Thus, an applicant cannot file an application direct in single member state, even if the applicant wishes to protect his Trademark in just one member state of the Union. The application has to be lodged Trademark application with OAPI office, as the Organisation has provided for uniform procedure to file, grant and protect Trademark registration for all member state.

 

OAPI is unique in that its member countries were required to ‘renounce’ their national sovereignty in the area of intellectual property, to afford the right holder a single regional title of protection valid in each country, obtained via an OAPI application and registration procedure. Hence designation of specific countries is not required in an OAPI application, i.e. all OAPI applications are in respect of all member countries.

Trademark Search in OAPI

Before filing, we conduct a Trademark Search in OAPI to determine if your brand is eligible for registration and free from conflicts with existing trademarks.

What We Offer:

• A Comprehensive Trademark Search Report analyzing similar marks.
• Assessment of registrability and potential objections.
• Professional recommendations to increase approval chances.

Want to check trademark availability? Send us your trademark for a Preliminary Search today.

Trademark Filing in OAPI

Our Trademark Attorneys in OAPI carefully assess your application and guide you through the Trademark Registration process.

Documents & Information Required for Trademark Registration in OAPI:

• Original Power of Attorney –Simply signed. NO NOTARIZATION OR LEGALIZATION IS REQUIRED.
• The name, physical address and nationality of the applicant.
• Sample of the mark, even for word mark
• A list of the goods/services and the classes pertaining thereto
• Original priority document (if applicable).
• Colours to be claimed with pantone code (if applicable)

 

Important Notes:

• OAPI allows multi-class applications.
• If you need to register your trademark in multiple classes, up to Three Classes of Goods and/or Services, if the Trademark is to be registered in more than one class.

 

Trademark Examination & Opposition in OAPI

Trademark Examination

Once submitted, the OAPI Intellectual Property Office will examine your trademark for compliance with registration criteria.

Trademark Publication & Opposition Period

If approved, the trademark application in OAPI is published in the Trademark Journal. A six (6) month opposition period follows, allowing third parties to challenge the registration.

 

Need assistance with trademark objections? Our legal team is experienced in handling oppositions and refusals.

 

Trademark Registration in OAPI – Validity & Renewal

How Long is a Trademark Valid in OAPI?

• Initial Registration: 10 years from the filing date.
• Renewal: Every 10 years, indefinitely.
• Grace Period for Renewal: 4 months after expiry (late renewal fees apply).

Trademark Cancellation Due to Non-Use

A trademark in OAPI is subject to cancellation if it is not used for 5 consecutive years after registration. To maintain trademark protection, owners must actively use the trademark in commerce.

Additional Trademark Services in OAPI

Beyond trademark registration, we offer comprehensive trademark management services to protect and maintain your brand:

Our Additional Trademark Services:

1. Trademark Monitoring – Regular tracking to detect and challenge unauthorized trademark use.
2. Trademark Recordal of Name & Address Changes – Updating details to ensure compliance.
3. Trademark Assignment & Merger Recordals – Facilitating smooth transfers of ownership due to acquisitions or mergers.

Need trademark services in OAPI? Contact us today for expert legal assistance.

Why Choose Nextmark Attorneys for Trademark Registration in OAPI?

Our Key Strengths:

• Expertise: Our Trademark Lawyers in OAPI have extensive experience handling trademark registrations, disputes, and renewals.
• Efficiency: We streamline the trademark filing process, ensuring fast and compliant trademark applications.
• Full Legal Support: From trademark searches to litigation and enforcement, we safeguard your brand at every stage.

 

Get Started with Trademark Registration in OAPI Today!

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Secure your brand today! Let Nextmark Attorneys handle your trademark registration in OAPI with professionalism and expertise.