Revised Bangui Accord Effective in February
The Bangui Accord has been revised to ensure compliance with TRIPS. The new law, effective on 28 February 2002, has undergone the following principle changes:
Trade Marks
Proof of use will no longer be required on renewal. This applies to all renewal applications filed on or after 28 February 2002, including renewals that have passed their due date and are filed during the 6-month grace period.A mark becomes subject to cancellation if it has not been used for an uninterrupted period of 5 years prior to the action for cancellation, instead of 5 years from its registration date.
Patents
The patent term will be extended to 20 years in respect of all registered patents, and application for extension of term for more than 10 years will no longer be required. This includes patents that have reached their 10-year term but are still in the extension grace period at the time the revised law comes into force. PCT applications will be subject to technical examination from which they have been previously excluded.
General
There will no longer be a 12-month time limit for recording changes to proprietors.License agreements and deeds of assignment between nationals of OAPI territories and non-nationals will no longer require the approval of the Competent National Authority.