Gabon

The Gabonese Republic, formerly part of French Equatorial Africa, lies on the west coast of Africa. It is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroun and to the east and south by the Congo.

General information

• Capital: Libreville
• Population: 1.26 million
• Area: 267 670 km2
• Languages: French – official language
• Exports: Crude oil; manganese; timber; uranium
• Imports: Machinery and equipment; foodstuffs; chemicals; petroleum products; construction materials
• Currency: CFA Franc

Trademarks

International Conventions:

WIPO, WTO, Paris Union, Signatory to the Trade Mark Law Treaty, Lisbon Agreement, Berne Union.

Marking of Goods:

Notice of registration by use of the legend ‘Marque Déposée” optional.

All cartons, cases, crates and packages containing merchandise from a foreign country must bear markings identifying the country of origin before it will be allowed to enter Gabon. The marking must be legible and indelibly written in French. Acceptable marks are ‘Importé de…’or ’Fabriqué en …’ (‘Imported from …’ or ‘Made in …’).

Marks of origin are also required on the labels of products exported to Gabon. These can be either in French or English.

Bottles and other containers of alcoholic drinks (with the exception of beers and wines of not more than 13% alcoholic content by volume), must carry a label giving degree of alcohol (degree alcoolique) in figures of 8mm for alcoholic description (titre alcoolique) and in letters of 4mm for qualifying description (titre qualificatif).

Patents

General:

This lies on the west coast of Africa and is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroun and to the east and south by the Congo.

Patent Protection is obtainable only via OAPI.