African Regional Industrial Organisation
ARIPO
What is ARIPO?
ARIPO stands for which is a central management and filing system for the 16 member countries in Africa.
The following countries are members of ARIPO:
- Zimbabwe
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Somalia
- Sierra Leone
- Ghana
- Gambia
- Malawi
- Swaziland
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Sudan
The main objectives of ARIPO include the promotion and streamlining as well as development of intellectual property filing, management, and legal systems amongst the English speaking African member states.
Although the countries are English speaking the basis for membership is not language, but rather membership of the OAU and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
Eight of the member states have endorsed the Banjul Protocol on Trademarks:
- Zimbabwe
- Malawi
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Botswana
The Banjul Protocol on Trademarks governs the registration of trademarks while another protocol approved by the members of ARIPO, the Harare Protocol, oversees the registration of designs and patents. It is important to note that the protocols have not been meant as replacement of the national protocols, but rather exist alongside those protocols.
The only country that has not endorsed the Patent Cooperation Treaty is that of Somalia. The headquarters of the organisation is located in the city of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
Should you require registration of a trademark or patent in any of the ARIPO countries, contact us at Smit & Van Wyk for assistance.
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