Continuation of negotiations on intellectual property
Article 58
Open ↗1. The Parties reaffirm their rights and obligations arising from the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), and recognise the need to ensure an adequate and effective level of protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights, and other rights covered by the TRIPS Agreement, in line with international standards and with a view to reducing distortions and impediments to bilateral trade. 2. With due regard for the powers transferred to the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI), the Parties undertake to conclude negotiations by 1 January 2009 on a series of commitments regarding intellectual property rights. 3. The Parties also agree to strengthen their cooperation in the area of intellectual property rights. Such cooperation shall be directed at supporting the implementation of each Party's commitments and shall extend to the following areas inter alia : (a) reinforcement of regional integration initiatives in Central Africa with a view to improving regional regulatory capacity, regional laws and regulations; (b) prevention of the abuse of such rights by right-holders and the infringement of such rights by competitors; (c) support in the preparation of national laws and regulations in Central Africa for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. 4. The negotiations shall be based on a two-step approach, first applying the rules in the context of regional integration in Central Africa and, after a transition period to be determined jointly, applying the rules bilaterally. 5. In conducting the negotiations, the different levels of development in the signatory Central African States should be taken into account.