Overview
The Central African Republic’s intellectual property regime covers trademarks, patents, and industrial designs under a unified system. Although national institutions generally oversee domestic matters of IP, the Central African Republic is a member state of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI). Rights secured through OAPI extend to the Central African Republic, offering a uniform set of protections applicable to all member countries.
OAPI’s regional procedures significantly streamline the filing process, allowing applicants to secure IP rights that are valid in several jurisdictions at once. Nonetheless, local enforcement of these rights remains possible in the Central African Republic, ensuring that both national and foreign applicants can seek recourse in the event of infringement.
International Conventions
Beyond its membership in OAPI, the Central African Republic is also party to several global treaties that shape its IP regime. These include:
- Paris Convention
- Berne Convention
- TRIPS Agreement
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
This information does not constitute legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.