6
3. the subject matter of the invention or
discovery;
4. in the case of an invention, the claim(s)
in the field, from the competent authority
or its delegate.
defining the scope of the requested
Such authorization may be withdrawn at
protection. Such claims may not go
any time, for serious misconduct.
beyond the content of the description;
5. information relating to titles granted
abroad, as the case may be;
The Ministry responsible for industrial
property shall keep and publish regularly
6. the International Patent Classification;
the list of authorized or delisted agents.
7. proof of payment of the fees due at the
This list shall give the names and addresses
time of filing the application or
of said agents.
claiming priority.
Art.20. According to this Law, industrial
Art.17. Applications for a patent or an
property advisors and any other person
incentive certificate shall be filed by the
displaying indepth knowledge in the field
author or holder himself or by his agent, by
of industrial property may be recognized as
his own hand or by mail.
agents.
If filing is performed by an agent, it shall
Art.21. In addition to representation,
be accompanied by a duly established
industrial property advisors shall have the
power of attorney, called a “special power
role of advising or assisting any person
of attorney”. In this case, this power of
interested in the field of industrial
attorney must mention the elements which
property.
make up the file.
Art.22. If two or more applications have
Art.18. NonCongolese applicants who
been filed on the same day for the same
are domiciled abroad shall be obliged to
subject matter, seniority shall be conferred
indicate an address for service with a
on the filing which benefited from a
Congolese agent and to work through him.
temporary advance.
Art.19. Industrial property agents must
Art.23. If an author or holder undertakes
have received prior authorization, on the
to exploit his invention without proceeding
basis of their good repute, ethics and skill
to file, said author or holder shall have six