OAPI opposition deadline update - 20 May 2009

Thanks to a notification from Forchak Valentine (of FORCHAK IP & LEGAL ADVISORY), The Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has recently published the Second Edition of the quarterly Official Bulletin of Intellectual Property “BOPI” No. 2/2008 dated 20th of November 2008. It covers a wide range of subject matter – patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, commercial names etc.

The Bangui Agreement governing the OAPI Trademarks Law provides that once published, any interested party can opposed the registration of a trademark within a maximum period of six (06) months by filing a Notice of Opposition. After the expiration of the statutory period of 06 months, the registration certificate becomes final and unchallengeable. The deadline to comply with the procedure to oppose a trademark is fixed on the 20th May 2009. The OAPI jurisdiction is made up of sixteen countries.

Other happenings on 20 May 2009 (provided you are not preparing last minute oppositions) include a Depeche Mode concert in Belgrade on that day, an aircraft show in Dubai and an eLearning conference in Senegal.