Database

Browse Database

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Signature of the WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaty
Lack of signature of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
The Republic of Congo has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since March 1977, as amended in December 2015, entry into force in November 2020
Since July 1982

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Copyright law with clear exceptions
Bangui Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African Intellectual Property Organization, Constituting a Revision of the Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (Bangui (Central African Republic), 2 March 1977) (Accord de Bangui relatif à la création d'une Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, constituant révision de l'Accord relatif à la création d'un Office Africain et Malgache de la Propriété Industrielle (Bangui (République centrafricaine), le 2 mars 1977)

Law No. 24/82 of 7 July 1982 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Loi No. 24/82 du 7 juillet 1982 sur le droit d'auteur et les droits voisins)
The Revised Bangui Agreement is a regional intellectual property law that is not only a regional convention applicable in all member states but also serves as a national intellectual property law in Congo and each of the other member states. The Revised Bangui Agreement contains provisions on copyright in Annex VII: Chapter IV (Limitations to Economic Rights) and establishes a regime of copyright exceptions, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted work by others without obtaining permission. In addition, Art. 33 of Law No. 24/82 also provides for limitations on copyrights.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Reported in 2015 and 2021

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in the Republic of Congo. It is reported that there are high levels of piracy since the 1990s, with complaints also on the fact that the Republic of Congo government computers use unlicensed software.
Coverage Software

CONGO

Since January 1978

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
The Republic of Congo is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since February 1999, entry into force in February 2002, last amended in December 2015
Since December 2019, entry into force in March 2020

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Bangui Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African Intellectual Property Organization, Constituting a Revision of the Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (Bangui (Central African Republic), 2 March 1977) (Accord de Bangui relatif à la création d'une Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, constituant révision de l'Accord relatif à la création d'un Office Africain et Malgache de la Propriété Industrielle (Bangui (République centrafricaine), le 2 mars 1977)

Regulations on the profession of Authorised Agent before the African Intellectual Property Organisation (Règlement sur la profession de Mandataire agréé auprès de l’Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle)
According to the Bangui Agreement, ratified by 17 French-speaking States, including the Republic of Congo, applicants resident outside the territory of the member States must file through an agent selected in one of those member States (Section III, Art. 8). The professional status of agent accredited to the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) is governed by the Regulations on the profession of Authorised Agent before the OAPI.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Screening of investment and acquisitions
Minimum capital requirement to obtain a license
It is reported that different minimum capital requirements are established to obtain different types of telecom licenses:
- 10.000.000.000 F.CFA for 3G and 4G (approx. USD 15,196,000);
- 11.000.000.000 F.CFA for 2G (approx. USD 16,716,000).
Coverage Telecommunications sector

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Local presence requirement
It is reported that Congolese law requires foreign companies to hire a general manager who is a resident of the Republic of Congo. To establish an office, it is usually required a local lawyer or a local representative of an international law firm to make sure that the company’s bylaws respect the Congolese standard business code.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since November 2001

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Law No. 8-2001 on Freedom of Information and Communication
Art. 38 of the Law No. 8-2001 mandates a residency requirement for the publication director of the newspapers, also online.
Coverage Newspapers, including online

CONGO

Since November 2001

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Maximum foreign equity share
Law No. 8-2001 on Freedom of Information and Communication
According the Art. 52 of the Law No. 8-2001, when a press publishing company is incorporated, the majority of shares up to 51% are reserved for Congolese citizens. This applies also to online newspapers.
Coverage Newspapers, including online

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Sub-pillar Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
The Republic of Congo is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) nor does it have observer status.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Sub-pillar Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and in ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
The Republic of Congo is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CG')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"52248"},{"post_id":"52249"},{"post_id":"52250"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CG')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'CG')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"1.00"}]

CONGO

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Sub-pillar Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
9.3%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
4.13%
Coverage: Digital goods

COMOROS

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Sub-pillar Adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Comoros has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

COMOROS

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Sub-pillar Adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Comoros has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal

COMOROS

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Sub-pillar Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Comoros has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal

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