Bilateral heads of office meeting with OAPI
On 24 March, the President met Denis Bohoussou, the Director General of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), to exchange on strategic developments at both offices since the last meeting in November 2020. The heads discussed a validation agreement between the EPO and OAPI's member states, clarifying the next legal and procedural steps.
The validation agreement breaks new ground for the Office and is expected to provide EPO applicants with direct access to high-quality patent protection in 17 states in Africa, a market of some 280 million inhabitants. During the meeting, the EPO underlined its willingness to provide comprehensive legal, administrative and technical assistance to boost support to OAPI and its member states in order to facilitate the entry into force of the validation agreement.
During the virtual meeting, the OAPI delegation provided an update on their plan to introduce search and substantive patent examination in line with the recently revised Bangui Agreement (the treaty establishing the organisation). The EPO underlined its support for these plans and will continue to contribute by offering training to OAPI examiners and helping draft the Patent Examination Guidelines.
Additionally, the delegations exchanged on the Office's upcoming outreach projects and activities, including the Patent Engineer Master programme held at the "Institut National Polytechnique de Yamoussoukro". Following on from the training event held in November 2021, the EPO and OAPI will host additional events and training to support capacity building in OAPI member-states.
Further information:
Related items
EPO delegation meets national offices from around the world to deepen co-operation
First meeting with the Institute of Professional Representatives under SP2028
EPO President addresses International Conference on IP and Sustainability and meets Estonia's Minister of Justice and the Ministry Secretary General
New work plan deepens partnership under SP2028
Delegation explores cooperation initiatives and shares EPO practices
Delegation attends key IP event and discusses future validation agreement
The President met with Ethiopian State Ministers to discuss validation
President Campinos hosts meeting with Costa Rican Minister of Justice and Peace.
Trilateral Offices collaborate to advance SDG 4 on quality education at annual meeting.
President Campinos: “Scaling patent power is key to addressing societal challenges”
New biennial work plan signed to support innovators in Europe and Mexico
Agreement to foster collaboration and co-ordination among the EPO and SIPO in high-quality search operations.
Last week, President Campinos was in Türkiye to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and participate in the International Inventions Fair.
EPO President and OAPI Director General meet to discuss validation agreement
President Campinos: CPC now the most powerful classification system in the world
Working arrangement covers data sharing and cooperation activities
The practice developed over the course of a 32 month pilot will become the norm
EPO member states vote for second term in office for President
Heads of office discuss current solidarity measures, reinforced partnership and technical assistance