Changes, improvements or additions to an invention give right to certificates of addition which have to conform to the formalities for filing patent applications in Cameroon.
Such changes, improvements or additions shall be recorded in certificates granted in the same form as the principal patent which, as from the dates of application and grant respectively, shall have the same effects as the said principal patent in Cameroon.
Certificates of addition taken out by one of the entitled persons shall benefit all the others.
Duration of Certificates of Addition in Cameroon Patent Applications
Certificates of addition shall terminate with the principal patent. However, invalidation of the principal patent shall not invalidate as of right the corresponding certificate or certificates of addition, and even where absolute invalidity has been declared under the provisions of article 43 of the law, the certificate or certificates of addition may survive the principal patent until the normal term of the latter expires, subject to continued payment of the annual fees that would have been payable had the said patent not been invalidated.
Conversion of an Application for a Certificate of Addition into a Patent Application in Cameroon
If the certificate of addition has not been granted, the applicant may effect the conversion of his application for a certificate of addition to a patent application, for which the filing date shall be the date of application for the certificate. Any patent eventually granted shall then give rise to payment of the same annual fees as a patent filed on the latter date.