Equatorial Guinea

Overview

Equatorial Guinea’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, Equatorial Guinea is a member state of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI). Rights secured through OAPI extend to Equatorial Guinea, 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 Equatorial Guinea, ensuring that both national and foreign applicants can seek recourse in the event of infringement.

International Conventions

Equatorial Guinea, through OAPI membership and other agreements, adheres to key global treaties, including:

• Paris Convention

• Berne Convention

• TRIPS Agreement

• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)