OAPI: Patent

Bangui Agreement

 Under OAPI’s patent system, applications are also governed by the Bangui Agreement, allowing inventors to secure regional rights through a single filing.

• Requirements: A patent application must include a request form, description, claims, drawings (if applicable), and an abstract.

• Renewal Period: OAPI patents remain valid for up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to the payment of annual maintenance fees.

• Exam: After formal checks, OAPI may carry out a substantive examination;

• Member State Implications: Once granted, a patent is enforceable across all member states; nonetheless, local courts maintain jurisdiction over infringement disputes.