Capacity-building for OAPI trade marks and industrial design examiners on substantive examination

The implementation of Annexes III and IV of the Bangui Agreement of December 14, 2015, has resulted in significant modifications to the trade mark and industrial design application assessment process at OAPI, effective as of 02 January 2022.

The interest in continuing to share skills and strengthen the capacity of the OAPI trade mark and Industrial design examiners on emerging tenets of substantive examination stems from previous in-person and virtual exchanges with various EUIPO experts, which have contributed to the consolidation of OAPI examiners’ experience.

Staff from the Trade Marks and Other Distinctive Signs Directorate (DMSD) and the Legal Affairs Directorate (DAJ), who are responsible for processing trade mark and design applications, will participate in the study visit to the EUIPO in two groups of five for a duration of one week each.

• Phase one – 22-26 April 2024, aimed at industrial designs examiners

• Phase two – 13-17 May 2024, aimed at trade mark examiners

The objectives are to:

• train OAPI staff to manage examination timeframes, opposition, and property claim procedures;

• share experiences on the assessment of the distinctive character of a trade mark;

• help staff master the assessment of the similarity of signs or designs in the context of prior art search;

• train staff to use good practices concerning the assessment of the risk of confusion;

• help staff master the use of various instruments intended to assist the classification process (Nice, Vienna, Locarno, TMclass, TMview, DesignView, DesignClass, etc.);

• share experience on managing and organising activities related to substantive examination;

• ensure the effective research of prior art, the reading-correction and the work of computer graphics.