We reported in our November 1995 Newsletter (N.S. 186) that the Republic of Djibouti had acceded to the African Organization for Intellectual Property (OAPI) and that trademark applications filed at the OAPI after January 26, 1995 would be valid for Djibouti. Our sources have indicated that, on August 22, 1997, the OAPI declared in an official letter that Djibouti was ineligible to join OAPI since it was not a party to certain other required international conventions, and that, therefore, registrations in OAPI have no effect in Djibouti. We are advised that the situation is under review by OAPI.

Until the situation is resolved, trademark owners may obtain protection for their marks in Djibouti by utilizing the national registration procedure, which we are advised is still operational.