Intellectual Property in Cameroon

Intellectual Property in Cameroon

IP Protection in Cameroon

Intellectual property rights in Cameroon are governed by the OHADA Uniform Act, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for copyright, and national legislation including Law No. 2000/011 on copyright and related rights. Cameroon is a member of OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle), which provides a unified registration system for trademarks and patents across 17 African member states — a single filing gives protection in all OAPI countries.

What We Protect

Trademarks — Registration, renewal, opposition and cancellation proceedings for word marks, logos, sounds and collective marks through OAPI. Patents — Filing and prosecution of patents for inventions, utility models and industrial designs across OAPI member states. Copyright — Registration of copyright works, advisory on licensing, and enforcement against infringement. Trade Secrets — Advising on confidentiality agreements, non-compete clauses, and employee IP assignment provisions. Domain Names — Registration and dispute resolution for .cm and international domain names.

Our IP Services

• IP audit to identify and catalogue your intangible assets • Trademark search and clearance before filing • OAPI trademark and patent filing and prosecution • Renewal management and deadline tracking • Cease-and-desist letters and enforcement actions • IP licensing and assignment agreements • Anti-counterfeiting strategy and customs recordal • Domain name registration and UDRP proceedings

Why Register Through OAPI

A single application filed at the OAPI office in Yaoundé provides trademark or patent protection across all 17 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo. This is far more cost-effective than filing separately in each country.

Why Wainfen Holdings

Wainfen Holdings has been operating in Cameroon since 2010 and has supported hundreds of local and international clients. Our bilingual (English/French) team understands both the OHADA legal framework and the practical realities of doing business across Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi, Limbe and Bafoussam. We commit to fixed fees, transparent timelines, and a single dedicated account manager who keeps you informed at every step. Whatever the service, our promise is the same: no surprises, no hidden costs, and full local execution so you can focus on your business.