OAPI Trademark Renewal

OAPI includes: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

A trademark registered through OAPI is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is renewable every 10 years indefinitely.

• Standard renewal window: Begins 12 months before expiration
• Grace period: 6 months after the expiration date
• Late fee: 25% surcharge of the renewal fee during the grace period
• After the grace period: Trademark automatically lapses and cannot be restored

• Simply signed Power of Attorney (no notarization or legalization required)
• Trademark registration number
• Payment of:
• Renewal fee
• Late fee if applicable

Renewals are processed and published in the OAPI Official Bulletin.

• Restoration is not possible after lapse
• The trademark must be re-applied for, and may be registered by third parties

• OAPI does not send renewal reminders
• Trademark owners must monitor deadlines and update:
• Changes in ownership
• Agent information
• Address updates

Avoid:

• Missing the 6-month grace period
• Assuming national offices manage renewals (they don't)
• Failing to provide a signed Power of Attorney

You may still renew within 6 months of expiration, with a 25% surcharge. After this, your trademark is removed from the register.

No. Restoration is not allowed under OAPI regulations.

No. Proof of use is not necessary to renew a trademark in OAPI countries.

You must notify OAPI headquarters in Cameroon to update your record.