Intellectual Property Rights And The ""OAPI"" In Cameroon Part I

INTRODUCTION

The protection of Intellectual property rights is fast becoming one of the major preoccupations of most Governments in a bid to foster and guarantee creative initiative in such domains as inventions, trade marks, and literary as well as artistic works. In Cameroon, this role devolves solely to the "African Organization for the Protection of Intellectual Property " better known by its French acronym "L'Organisation Africaine de la Propriete Intellectuelle" ("OAPI"). It's jurisdiction covers over 14 Central and West African Countries mostly of French expression including Cameroon which in addition hosts the headquarters of the organisation.

1. REASONS FOR CREATION

Although this organisation sought to establish common principles and procedures for the protection of such industrial property rights as patents and invention-related rights, industrial designs, trade marks and logos, three other reasons accounted for its creation: