Guide to register industrial designs in Cameroon

Cameroon, with its diverse and rich culture, possesses an invaluable treasure trove of traditional motifs, patterns, and shapes. These factors are an endless source of inspiration for the development of unique industrial design products, imbued with national identity. Sectors such as fashion, furniture, jewelry, and traditional handicrafts are good examples. In addition, the great potential from the agriculture and tourism industry also opens up many opportunities to create new industrial design products, both meeting market demand and contributing to promoting the country’s image. However, many individuals and businesses do not know the procedures for registering industrial designs in Cameroon, Viet An Law would like to guide customers through the article below.

Guide to Understanding the Concept of Industrial Design in Cameroon

Industrial design in Cameroon is the process of creating products that are both highly applicable and aesthetic. This process covers the entire life cycle of the product, from the initial idea until the product is brought to market.

In Cameroon, industrial design plays an important role in enhancing the value and competitiveness of domestically produced products. It includes the following activities:

• Product Idea Building: Develop new product ideas or improve existing products based on market demand, user preferences, and technological advancements.
• Design development: Create detailed drawings, models, or prototypes to visualize and perfect the product’s appearance, functionality, and user experience.
• Material selection: Choose the right materials that are durable, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Manufacturing Process: Ensure products can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively using existing manufacturing techniques and equipment.
• User Experience: Design products that are easy to use, comfortable, and safe for consumers.

Non-industrial signs in Cameroon

• Lack of novelty
  • The design already exists: If the design has been published or widely used before, it will not be considered new and cannot be protected.
  • Design that is too similar: If the design is too similar to a design that has been previously registered, to the point that consumers may be confused, then it is also not protected.
• Lack of originality:
  • Designs that are too conventional: Shapes and patterns that are too simple, popular or an inevitable result of technical functions are often not protected.
  • Design is only the result of technical function: If the appearance of the product is due to the requirement of technical function without any other creative elements, then it will not be protected.
• Lack of industriality: If the design is only a single handmade product and cannot be mass-produced using industrial methods, then it does not fall under the protection of the industrial design.
• Not a product:
  • Abstract Ideas: Abstract ideas, concepts, or scientific principles that cannot be protected as industrial designs.
  • Software, methods: Software, working methods, scientific inventions… are not protected by industrial designs.
• Other factors: If the design infringes on the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights of others, it will not be protected.

Guidelines for preparing industrial design registration dossiers in Cameroon

• Application Form: The application form includes the following information:
  • Name, address, nationality and contact information of the applicant (and representative, if applicable);
  • Title of industrial design;
  • Specifies the products to which the style will be applied (Product Type).
  • International Classification Code for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification).
• Representative image of the style:
  • Drawings, photographs, or other graphic images of the design.
  • These images need to clearly represent all angles of the style (front, back, side, top, bottom, perspective, etc.).
  • A maximum of 7 images can be submitted.
• Priority documentation (if applicable): If a priority claim is from a previous application filed in another country, the applicant will need to submit a certified copy of the previous application.
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If the applicant files through a representative (e.g., attorney or intellectual property representative), the applicant will need to provide a power of attorney that allows them to act on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents, if any:
  • Copyright claim (if the applicant is not the creator of the design).

Violations of industrial design protection in Cameroon

Unauthorized use of a registered design

• Manufacturing, selling, or importing products of identical or similar design to the registered design without the owner’s permission.
• Use a registered style to advertise or market your products.

Counterfeiting, imitation of designs

• Create products that closely resemble the registered design to deceive consumers.

Modification of the design

• Change some small details of the registered design to create a new design, but retain the characteristic characteristics of the original design.

Use a style that has expired protection

• Continue to use a design that has expired without the consent of the original owner or the new owner.

Related Questions When Registering an Industrial Design

How to determine the novelty of an industrial design?

The novelty of an industrial design is assessed on the basis that the design is significantly different from all previously published or used designs, both domestically and internationally. This means that the design must be completely unique and have never appeared on the market.

Is it necessary to conduct a market survey before applying?

Market survey is not a mandatory step in the process of registering an industrial design, but it plays an important role in determining the feasibility of the product and minimizing the risk of infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. By surveying the market, you can assess the level of competition, customer needs, and identify potential competitors.