Once an application for registration is deposited together with the necessary documents , the Trademark Office undertakes an administrative examination.

An official attestation of deposit is only issued by the OAPI after the administrative examination. This process usually takes about 30 days from the filing date. The OAPI operates a “Deposit System”, i.e. there is no examination on relative grounds. Since all applications are published, any person whose rights are affected by an application has the possibility of challenging the application or trademark as the case may be by either opposition or nullity proceedings. If the application is found acceptable after the administrative examination the prosecution will then continue through publication and eventual registration. If there is no opposition a trademark certificate can be obtained between an estimated period of between 6 to 9 months from the filing date.