A trademark is defined as any visible or audible sign used or intended to be used that is capable of distinguishing the products or services of a natural or legal person.
The sign in question could be:
- Designations in all forms ( words, letters, acronyms and numbers, combinations of words, surnames taken in themselves or in a distinctive form, particular, arbitrary or fanciful designations, letters, acronyms and numbers ) ;
- figurative signs ( drawings, labels, stamps, holograms, logos, computer-generated images, shapes in particular those of the product or its packaging or those characteristic of the service, arrangements, combinations or shades of colors );
- sound signs (sounds, musical phrases), audiovisual signs;
- the signs in series.
Protection procedure
To protect your trademark, you must follow the relevant procedure by submitting a registration application directly to the OAPI (Yaoundé) or to one of its National Liaison Structures (NLS) located in each of the 17 member states. You can also do so through an agent . When doing so, you must specify the class(es) of goods and/or services for which protection is sought. It is now possible to submit the application electronically . All applications for protection must be accompanied by proof of payment of the required fee . Before submitting any registration application, it is recommended to conduct a prior art search . The OAPI also offers you the possibility of protecting your trademark abroad .
