IPR easily – Organisations (part 6)

This part of our series “IPR easily” presents the relevant organisations.

ARIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization

a regional IP organisation, mainly in the southern part of Africa. Grants IP rights.

European Patent Organisation

A European patent granting organisation, for which the European Patent Office EPO examines and grants a patent.

Registered EU design

EU-wide system for protection of registered designs. Competent Authority is European Intellectual Property Office EUIPO.

EU trademark

EU-wide system for protection of trademarks. Competent Authority is European Intellectual Property Office EUIPO.

Eurasian Patent Organisation

A patent granting organisation in the Eurasian region.

Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

previously known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC. It includes a patent granting organisation of Arab countries.

The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs

System for international registration of design/industrial designs. Covers approximately 100 jurisdictions. Competent authority is World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO.

Madrid – The International Trademark System

System for international registration of trademarks. Covers most jurisdictions worldwide. Competent authority is World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO.

OAPI, Organisation Africaine de la propriété Intellectuelle

a regional IP organisation, mainly in the eastern part of central Africa. Grants IP rights.

PCT, Patent Cooperation Treaty

An international organisation for patent applications, which allows postponing the decision of countries in which protection is sought. Covers almost all countries of the world.

Unitary patent

A patent granted by the EPO for which unitary effect has been requested. The protection in the participating member states is then unitary, i.e. one renewal fee is due and it is handled in court as a single patent.