Intellectual Property lawyers in Ouagadougou (AF)

Patent attorneys in Ouagadougou typically offer these services:

• Patent drafting and filing through the OAPI system
• Patent searches and freedom-to-operate analyses
• Technical consultations for innovation protection
• Patent prosecution and examination responses
• Patent litigation and enforcement
• Technology transfer agreements and licensing

These professionals work within the OAPI framework, which provides patent protection across 17 member countries with a single filing handled in Ouagadougou.

Trademark registration in Ouagadougou is primarily handled through two locations:

1. The National Intellectual Property Office located in the administrative district near the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts on Avenue de l’Indépendance
2. The OAPI liaison office in the Ouaga 2000 district

Both offices coordinate with the central OAPI headquarters in Cameroon. Trademark attorneys in Ouagadougou typically maintain offices near these institutions to facilitate filings and follow-ups on behalf of clients.

Copyright protection in Burkina Faso operates under both national law and the OAPI Bangui Agreement. Works are protected automatically upon creation without mandatory registration, though voluntary registration is available through the Burkina Faso Copyright Office (BBDA) located in central Ouagadougou. The protection covers literary, artistic, musical works, software, and databases for the author’s life plus 70 years. The BBDA actively enforces rights against piracy, particularly in Ouagadougou’s markets like the Grand Marché and Rood Woko. Local IP lawyers can assist with registration, licensing agreements, and enforcement actions.

Businesses should work with local IP lawyers for litigation in Ouagadougou because:

• They understand the procedural rules of the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Ouagadougou where IP cases are heard
• They are familiar with local judges and legal practitioners, which can aid in the litigation process
• They can effectively communicate and negotiate in French, the official language
• They possess knowledge of local laws and regulations that impact IP cases
• They can provide tailored legal strategies based on the unique aspects of Ouagadougou’s IP landscape