African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO)

The history of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) goes back to some English speaking African countries wanting to pool their resources in intellectual property matters by establishing a regional organization.

Member states of ARIPO are:

Botswana

Gambia

Ghana

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Malawi

Mozambique

Namibia

Rwanda

Sao Tome and Príncipe

Sierra Leone

Somalia

Sudan

Swaziland

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe.

ADMINISTERED TREATIES

Swakopmund Protocol on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore within the Framework of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) (August 9, 2010)

Banjul Protocol on Marks Within the Framework of the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO) (November 19, 1993)

Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs Within the Framework of the African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO) (December 10, 1982)

Lusaka Agreement on the Creation of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) (December 9, 1976)

FILING REQUIREMENTS

NON-PCT APPLICATION

1- Power of attorney, simply signed.

2- 1 set of the specification, claims, and an abstract in English.

3- 1 set of the formal drawings, if available.

4- Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed.

5- Deed of assignment.

PCT APPLICATION

(i) Power of Attorney (simply signed) – can be late filed within two months;

(ii) Specification, claims, drawings, and abstract in English – required on the day of filing;

(iii) Assignment of Invention – can be late filed, no set deadline;

(iv)Copy of PCT International advertisement – required on day of filing;

(v)Copy of International Search Report – can be late filed, no set deadline; and

(vi)Copy of International Preliminary Examination Report – can be late filed, no set deadline.

SEARCH OPTIONS

There are search options available for official search as long as they are granted and published in the official gazette.

GRACE PERIOD

6 MONTHS grace period with surcharge for late payment of fees.

ANNUITIES

Also note that annuity fees are payable on pending applications from the anniversary of filing.

FILING REQUIREMENTS

1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. Graphic/ photographic representations of the design.
3. Assignment from the creators (if applicable).
4. Priority documents.

TIME FRAME

8 to 12 months from registration

Please Note: Unlike OAPI, it is not possible to cover all member states, ARIPO applications specifically require the applicant to designate those member States where protection is required.

PROTECTION TERM

10 years