OAPI

Supported patent filings

PCT National Phase Entry

Deadline: 30 months
Power of Attorney: Yes
Assignments: Yes
Language: English or French
Translation Extension: No
Excess Claims Fee: Yes*
Examination Request: No substantive examination
Country Notes: * Reduced claims may be lodged on filing to reduce claim surcharges payable.

• OAPI member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Direct Filing

Deadline: 12 months
Power of Attorney: Yes
Assignments: Yes
Language: English or French
Translation Extension: No
Excess Claims Fee: No
Examination Request: No substantive examination
Country Notes: • A certified copy of the Priority Document, along with a certified English or French translation of the Priority Document (in case of non-English language), must be submitted within six months from the application filing date. This is a hard deadline and cannot be extended.

• Note that assignments are required for Paris Convention filings even though they are not required for PCT cases.

Recommended Agents

Spoor & Fisher

PCT National Phase Entry
Direct Filing
Spoor & Fisher has been a specialist IP firm since its formation in 1920. The firm provides legal services throughout Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean, and has a proud tradition of having been involved in many of the leading patent, trademark and copyright cases in South Africa. Spoor & Fisher has offices in Jersey (Channel Islands), Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria, in South Africa. The firm also has an extensive network of local associates across the African continent.. . Spoor & Fisher specializes in all aspects of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyright and designs, related litigation, commercial transactions, due diligence and portfolio management..
Read More