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Author: salim

Balemaken & Associates SCP > Articles posted by salim

The protection of cultural heritage, Traditional Knowledge (TK), and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE) in Cameroon

Beyond the unsettled topical debates on the protection and exploitation of intangible cultural heritage and intellectual property works, Cameroon’s legal arsenal on the issue was anchored on two norms, the 1991 law on the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and annex 7 of the 1999 Revised Bangui Agreement.  These pieces of legislature principally dealt with three objects, cultural heritage, natural heritage, and copyright law with the former being restricted to folklore, site, monuments, and ensembles. No references were expressly made to traditional knowledge, associated traditional knowledge, etc. Folklore was instead considered a garbage cane where everything was inserted, literary works,...

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The success story of GI labels in the OAPI region: Oku honey

Oku honey is pure multi-floral bee honey. This type of honey is distinguished by its white color, sweet and slightly acidic honey taste, floral fragrance, crunchy, light, and critical character. The name protected as a geographical indication is "WHITE HONEY OF OKU"; The white honey of Oku is produced in the northwest of the Republic of Cameroon.Since the labeling of Oku honey by the African Organization for Intellectual Protection (OAPI) in 2013, its price has continued to rise. It has gone from 1,500 F per liter to about 5,000 F. And it still has a bright future ahead of it...

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The success story of GI labels in the OAPI region: Benin’s sugarloaf pineapple

The sugarloaf pineapple from the Allada plateau in southern Benin, '' Ananas Pain de Sucre '' with its very juicy and sweet white flesh and the particularity of remaining green when fully ripe, has just obtained its Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) awarded by the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).This first certification for Benin is of utmost importance because the PGI enhances the quality and authenticity of a product from a specific territory, preserves know-how, and protects it. With this label, the marketing of the product both nationally and internationally is facilitated, which generates added value and therefore increased income for...

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The success story of GI labels in the OAPI region: Ziama-Macenta coffee

Ziama-Macenta coffee from Guinea is a robusta coffee with exceptional qualities, close to those of Arabica. Cultivated in Guinea on Mount Ziama, on the borders of Liberia and the Ivory Coast, Ziama-Macenta coffee is a special robusta: its flavor is acidic and not very bitter. It is distinguished by its persistent aromas, both strong and fine. This coffee comes from exclusively Robusta clones or hybrids which are both traditional varieties and clones (clones 119, 477, 529, 588, and 594). The name protected as a geographical indication is "CAFE ZIAMA-MACENTA". A first contract for the GI (Geographical Indication) Café Ziama Macenta was...

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Amendments of the OAPI Geographical Indications law: What’s new?

The entry into force of the new OAPI geographical indications law has led to an unprecedented change in geographical indications registration proceedings in the OAPI region. It could be very interesting for users of the system to understand these changes and their implications.  Our analysis will focus on a few essential issues dealt with under the new OAPI geographical indications law, notably trans-border geographical indications, publication of applications, oppositions after the publication of applications, amendment of applications, and amendment of the registration. 1.   SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES  1.1.     Extension of the notion of producer The 1999 Bangui Agreement restricted the status of the producer to three...

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What you need to know about OAPI

History On September 13th 1962, twelve (12) Heads of State and Government of Africa signed the agreement establishing the African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (OAMPI) in Libreville, Gabon. This Agreement was revised in Bangui (Central African Republic) on March 2nd 1977 to give birth to the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). On February 24th 1999, the Bangui Agreement was in turn revised. The new version aims at: First OAPI's Logo - Making its provisions compatible with the requirements of international treaties on intellectual property to which member states are party. A case in point is the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual...

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Balemaken&Associates SCP celebrates women’s rights… Important pole of Intellectual property in the world.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6774468586699272192 The celebration of women's rights in the world leaves room for discussion in the social, political, economic and scientific fields; intellectual property is no exception. The issue of gender equality has long been raised and statistics show that gender discrimination is slowly decreasing in the world of intellectual property protection, but remains very promising. According to WIPO, "At the current rate, parity among inventors cited in PCT applications will not be achieved until 2058" . ...

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AMENDEMENT OF THE OAPI PATENT AND UTILITY MODELS LAW : WHAT ARE THE INNOVATIONS ?

The entry into force of the new OAPI patent and utility models law will lead to profound changes in IP practice in the OAPI region. It is therefore of great interest to users of the system to understand the forthcoming changes, their legal and financial implications as well as how best to adapt themselves. Our analysis will focus on a few essential issues dealt with under the new OAPI patent and utility models law, notably co-ownership, publication of applications, oppositions after publication of applications, claims of ownership after publication of applications, division of the application, possibility of correcting obvious material errors,...

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