Renewal of Design in OAPI
| Protection Period (years) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Power of Attorney must be notarized | Yes |
| max period of protection maximum (years) | 15 |
| Patent- and Trademarkoffice | OAPI |
| Flat fee incl. official fees | Yes |
Explanation of Our Consulting Services and the Process for Design Renewal in the OAPI Region
Our law firm handles the complete process of renewing your registered industrial design in the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) region. We monitor the protection periods of your design and notify you in advance about upcoming renewals, ensuring that your design remains continuously protected.
1. Background on OAPI and Its Protection System
The OAPI is an international organization for industrial property protection, currently comprising 17 African member states:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Congo
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Senegal
- Togo
- Equatorial Guinea
A registered design in the OAPI region provides unified protection across all member states. This means that with one application, comprehensive protection is ensured in all the countries listed above.
2. Maximum Protection Duration and Renewal Options
The maximum protection duration for a registered design in the OAPI region is 15 years. Protection begins on the filing date of the application with the relevant office and is initially granted for a first protection period of 5 years. This period can be extended twice by 5 years each, allowing for a total protection duration of 15 years.
3. Process for Design Renewal
The renewal of a registered design in the OAPI region is carried out through a formal application to the relevant office and the timely payment of renewal fees.
- The renewal application must be submitted within the last 6 months before the protection period expires.
- The payment of renewal fees should be made within the ongoing protection period to avoid delays and additional fees.
4. Grace Period and Surcharge Fees for Late Renewal
If the renewal fee is not paid on time, it is possible to make the payment within a grace period of up to 6 months after the protection period ends. However, a surcharge fee will apply. If this grace period is missed, the desig