Rep. Congo Trademark Information

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, Little Congo, or simply the Congo, is a state in Central Africa bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population is estimated at 3,686,000 with a GDP of $15.57 billion.

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.

Trademarks are assigned through the National Industrial Property Unit, Directorate General of Industry, Ministry of Industrial Development and Promotion of Private Sector. Republic of the Congo is not a member of the Madrid Protocol and is a member of OAPI. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.