OAPI

  • International Country Code:

    OA
  • Time Zone:

    UTC/GMT +00:00
  • Currency:

    Central African CFA franc (XAF)

OAPI PCT regional phase entry

OAPI
from 3655.00
Total Number of Claims/PCT
Number of Priorities
Pages for Publication
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  • Patent fees

Fees associated with the OAPI PCT regional phase entry as well as other patent fees are available in the fee calculator.

  • The deadline for the PCT regional phase entry in OAPI

The time limit for OAPI regional phase entry is 30 months from the date of priority. It is possible to request for a restoration where the regional phase entry application was not filed within the deadline. The restoration application must be filed at the latest within 2 years from the 30 month deadline.

  • Minimum filing requirements in OAPI

To obtain the date of filing, the PCT regional phase entry application in OAPI must contain:
 - request for the grant of a patent;
 - applicant's and inventor's details;
 - specification, claims and abstract in English or French;
 - formal drawings, if applicable;
 - proof of payment of the prescribed fee.

  • Language of the OAPI patent application

For entry into the national phase, specification, claims and abstract must be translated into French or English and submitted on filing. Late filing of the translation is not possible. 

  • Priority document

The certified copy of the priority document in English or French must be submitted to the patent office within six months from the date of filing.

  • Power of Attorney requirements

The legalisation of the POA form is not required. A scanned copy of a simply signed Power of Attorney must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.

  • Substantive examination request

Any application for a patent shall undergo examination to ensure unity of invention and patentability per se. No request for such examination is required, examination is conducted automatically.

  • Novelty grace period

OAPI patent application may be filed within 12 months after the disclosure at an official or officially recognized international exhibition or when such a disclosure was made in bad faith by any third party.

  • Grant and patent maintenance fees

There is no official grant fee. Annual fees are due each year starting from the 2nd one and should be paid before the expiry of the anniversary of the international filing date. The extension of this term is possible for six additional months by paying an extra fee.

  • Representation by a patent attorney

For foreigners not residing in any of the OAPI member-country, it is required to perform the OAPI PCT regional phase through an agent, a registered OAPI patent attorney.

  • Notes

1. Online Search Database for OAPI Patents and Utility Models.
2. Entering the OAPI regional stage as a utility model is possible.

The above information was verified on 30.01.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with the OAPI IP Laws

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