Overview
Côte d’Ivoire’s intellectual property regime covers trademarks, patents, and industrial designs under a unified system. Although domestic matters of IP are generally overseen by national institutions, Côte d’Ivoire is a member state of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI). Rights secured through OAPI extend to Côte d’Ivoire, 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 Côte d’Ivoire, ensuring that both national and foreign applicants can seek recourse in the event of infringement.
International Conventions
Through OAPI membership and direct state participation, Côte d’Ivoire adheres to various international IP treaties that bolster its protection 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.