The African Intellectual Property Organization, better known by its French acronym OAPI, recently adopted the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification, thus replacing the outgoing 10th Edition.

The adoption of the 11th Edition will not affect trademarks already filed and registered. Upon next renewal, goods and services affected by this change in formalities should be reclassified accordingly by the Trademark Office.

It is worth noting that the amendments in the 11th Edition cover 15 class headings and explanatory notes for seven classes. Furthermore, the list of goods and services was extended by 334 terms. Major revisions in the 11th Edition include:

  • Class headings affected by current revisions are those numbered 3, 6, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 31 and 45
  • All serving utensils are grouped under class 21 instead of class 8
  • The addition of unlocking of mobile phones under class 42
  • The addition of dog walking, kimono dressing assistance, and conducting religious ceremonies under class 45
  • The addition of eyelash brushes and foam toe separators for use in pedicures under class 21
  • The addition of herbal extracts for cosmetic purposes under class 3
  • The addition of herbal extracts and physiotherapy preparations for medical purposes under class 5
  • The addition of body composition monitors under class 10
  • The addition of several new goods under classes 29 and 30, including guacamole, onion rings, falafel, bibimbap, dulce de leche, almond, peanut and coconut milks, as well as nut- and chocolate-based spreads. Escamoles (prepared edible ant larvae) and edible insects have also been added under classes 29 and 31

By way of background, OAPI is comprised of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo, and Comoros. Besides providing a central registration system of intellectual property, OAPI’s mission is to afford member states the opportunity to work together, share resources and exchange ideas to meet economic and social development needs, and promote literary and artistic expression.

Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us at news@sabaip.com