On 9th February, 2017, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), signed a four- year cooperation agreement at the ARIPO headquarters in Zimbabwe.
According to a report from ARIPO, the two parties have agreed to “work towards the harmonization of their systems; exchange documentation and technical information; mutually cooperate in the development of training and joint capacity building programs including in user awareness. The agreement also requires that either party offers technical assistance to the other when such assistance has been requested for. Importantly too, OAPI and ARIPO agreed to take common positions on major IP issues affecting the Member States of the two organizations at continental and international levels.” To this end, the two parties have adopted a work plan for the year 2017-2018 that specifies the aspects of collaboration and activities to be undertaken, the expected results as well as timelines.
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