Spoor & Fisher - Intellectual Property law specialists Patents, trade marks, copyright, design, domain names, South Africa and Africa

Guinea

Capital: Conakry
Population: 7.6 million
Major languages: French, various tribal languages
Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
Form of government: Multiparty republic
Monetary unit: 1 Guinean franc = 100 centimes
Main exports: Bauxite, alumina, gold, diamond, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Internet domain: .gn
Time zone: GMT
International dialling code: +224

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Trade Marks

International Arrangements:

Guinea became a member State of OAPI with effect from 13 January 1990. Since that date it has not been possible to file trade amrk applications in Guinea and new marks have been protected by registration with OAPI (see separate text).

For those registrations obtained in Guinea prior to 13 January 1990, renewals, assignments and other post-registration matters continued to be dealt with by the Guinea Registry, in accordance with the previous procedures, and the documents required are as follows:

Documents required:

A. New Applications

See OAPI text page.

B. Renewals

Power of Attorney (not legalised) - a separate form is required for each registration.
10 Prints, even for word marks in ordinary type.

C. Assignments/Mergers

Power of Attorney (not legalised).
Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified French translation.

D. Change of Name

Power of Attorney (not legalised).
Certificate of Change of Name, with verified French translation.

E. Change of Address

Power of Attorney (not legalised).

F. Licences/Registered Users

Powers of Attorney (not legalised) from proprietor and licensee.
Licence Agreement, with verified French translation.

Please note that on 4 December 1998 OAPI introduced provisions for Guinea registrations to be extended or converted to OAPI registrations. Recent analysis of the requirements and obligations of the Guinea and OAPI Registries suggests that the situation as regards such former Guinea registrations is very confused. We are continuing to investigate, but there is a possibility that former Guinea registrations will eventually have no force or effect. Consideration should, therefore, be given to using OAPI as a means of protection in Guinea. All OAPI registrations filed before 13 January 1990 can be extended to Guinea, whilst all OAPI applications filed after that date automatically cover Guinea.

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Trade Mark Forms

Guieatrd.pdf

Patents

International arrangements:

Paris Union (from 5 February 1982)
WIPO (from 13 November 1980)
OAPI (from 13 January 1990)
PCT (from 27 May 1991)

For more details see OAPI

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