OAIP

African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (AOIP)

There exists an Agreement entered into by the Patent Offices of many African Countries called the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation or ARIPO (also known as OAIP). Under this Agreement one can file a single application in one of the countries and obtain patent protection throughout all of the African Countries. There are currently (April 2007) fifteen African states which are party to the Agreement and therefore members of ARIPO. These are: Botswana, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.Article VI also mandate the Organization to cooperate with non member states. In line with this provision, ARIPO has cooperated with the following potential member states who have observer status in the meetings of its main organs: Angola, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles and South Africa (Total: 10 states).

The ARIPO system covers a total area of nearly 7 million square kilometres with a population of over 200 million inhabitants. Membership to ARIPO therefore opens up new markets for its member states, while at the same time improving their investment climate and encourages access to technical information, particularly that contained in patent documents.

The ARIPO regional system compliments the national industrial property system of its Member States. The sovereignty of Member States is therefore preserved but applicants are given more choice as to route of filing their applications and where to obtain protection.

There is increased use of the local industrial property system by foreign applicants.

The Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs offers distinct advantages to both industrial property offices of ARIPO Member States and the users. The ARIPO Protocols ensure that IP Offices handle more applications and therefore receive more revenue than would otherwise be the case. IP Offices save some of the costs of processing applications, particularly publication, and grant/registration and renewals since this is done by a central ARIPO Office on their behalf. The quality of examination, particularly with regard to patents, ensures that the rights granted have a strong presumption of validity. IP Offices with weak infrastructure and limited human and financial resources still offer a high standard of industrial property protection.

Advantages to the Users

The applicant can file his application with either his national office or directly with the ARIPO Office, and a single application has effect in all designated Member States. The applicant uses only one language (English), pays fees in one currency (US dollars),and employs only one agent.

For more information use our Information Request Form.

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