Geographical Indications Law in Chad
Geographical Indications Law in Chad
1. Legal Framework
Chad protects Geographical Indications (GIs) through its membership in the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), the regional intellectual property organization covering 17 African countries including Chad.
Chad does not have a separate national GI law.
Instead, it relies on the OAPI Bangui Agreement (1999), which provides a unified system for GI protection among member states.
2. Protection under OAPI
The Bangui Agreement defines GIs as indications identifying a product as originating from a specific geographic region, where quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to that origin.
Appellations of origin are recognized as a special subset of GIs with stricter requirements regarding the connection to the geographical environment.
Registration:
Applications are filed with the OAPI Intellectual Property Office based in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The application must describe the product, geographical boundaries, and evidence linking product quality or reputation to its origin.
After examination and publication, if no opposition is lodged, the GI is registered.
Protection granted by OAPI is effective in all member states, including Chad.
The term of protection is 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
3. Enforcement and Scope
Registered GIs are protected against:
Unauthorized use or imitation.
False or misleading indications.
Actions harming the reputation of the GI.
Protection covers agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, and other products linked to geographic origin.
4. International Context
Chad, through OAPI, complies with the TRIPS Agreement under the WTO.
Chad is also a member of the Paris Convention.
OAPI harmonizes GI protection in the region, simplifying the process for producers in Chad.
5. Examples of Geographic Indications Relevant to Chad
While specific GIs registered for Chad are still limited, potential products include:
Chadian cotton — known for quality and regional specificity.
Date palms from the Ennedi region.
Traditional crafts made by local communities.
These could benefit from regional GI protection through OAPI.
Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Framework | OAPI Bangui Agreement (1999) |
| Registration Authority | OAPI Intellectual Property Office (Yaoundé) |
| Protection Term | 10 years, renewable |
| Scope | Agricultural products, handicrafts, foodstuffs |
| International Compliance | TRIPS, Paris Convention |
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