Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, is a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which facilitate the registration of trademarks, patents, and industrial designs. The legal framework for intellectual property in Burkina Faso includes protection for patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and semiconductor chip design. Patents are valid for 20 years with the possibility of licensing three years post-issuance, while trademarks are valid for 20 years and renewable. The national investment code ensures that foreign investors receive the same rights and protection as local enterprises regarding intellectual property rights. The Bureau Burkinabe du Droit d’Auteur (BBDA) administers copyright, and the Directeur Général de la Propriété Industrielle within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Handicrafts handles patent and trademark affairs. Burkina Faso is also part of the Berne Convention for copyright protection, with work created in the country eligible for registration through the Intellectual Property Rights Office's Copyright Registration Service.