IP SERVICES
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to the set of intangible objects that derive their value primarily from creative effort. These include literary works, artistic works, scientific discoveries, invention plans, and industrial designs and models—in short, all creations of the human mind. The ownership and control of intellectual works and scientific knowledge are recognized as essential to the development of the new global economy known as the knowledge economy.
Intellectual Property (IP) rights in Cameroon, Comoros Islands and 15 other French-speaking West and Central African countries are governed mainly by the Bangui Agreement of 14th December 2015 and its ten (10) Annexes. The African Intellectual Property Organisation (AIPO/OAPI) is the regional/national industrial property office for all 17 Member States to the Bangui Agreement. OAPI is in charge of all administrative procedures relating to the application, maintenance and delivery of industrial property titles. The latter include patents, utility model certificates, trademarks and service marks, trade names, industrial designs, plant variety certificates, layout designs for integrated circuits and geographical indications.
The role of IP in the innovation and development cannot be understated. High levels of IP creation and protection is usually associated with highly productive and innovative economies such as Switzerland, Sweden, USA, Singapore, and UK. Emerging economies of the South such as China and India are significant contributors to innovation and to the intellectual property system. For individual companies and organisations, IP has become an invaluable asset that gives a competitive advantage, attracts investors and partners, an additional source of income among other advantages.
As an OAPI licensed IP agent Firm, we are conscious of our role as contributors to innovation and development in the region and beyond. Our team of IP attorneys, Patent engineer and lawyers to advise and represent our clients’ interests in matters relating to intellectual property. We have over 26 years of combined legal, commercial and research experience in providing strategic and commercial intellectual property (IP) advice tailored to our clients’ business and research goals. Our team helps organisations of different sizes and growth stages to identify, protect and valorise their intangible assets. We work with start-ups, SMEs, corporates and university sector teams to audit their intangible assets and develop IP strategies in line their institutional and business growth objectives.
Our areas of IP expertise include protection and enforcement of copyright and related rights, patents and utility model certificates, trademarks and trade names, IP litigation and amendments, commercialisation of IP through assignments and license contracts, due diligence, State-of-the-art searches, patent drafting, IP audits, and IP consulting, IP training and awareness activities among others.
Ourfull service offering including a brief presentation of our team is available via the Dayspring Law firm IP brochure