Cameroon is a member of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI). Patent, trademark and design registrations at the OAPI in the Cameroon Republic at Yaoundé cover all countries of the Bangui Agreement. For full particulars, see under “African Intellectual Property Organization“.

The Penal Code, Law No. 2016/007 of July 12, 2016, brought infringement of IP rights, which has traditionally been handled through the civil courts, firmly within the realm of criminal law. The new Law creates a large number of offenses relating to trademarks, patents, designs and copyright, and it prescribes significant punishments including fines and prison terms.