The Trademark Office (TMO) in Lebanon announced that an application to register a mark that includes non-Arabic, -English, or -French wording must include a sworn Arabic translation of that wording. The new requirement also applies to compound word marks comprised of two or more distinct words that are represented as one word, in which ...

In a screen-shattering update, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai, UAE, established the world’s first regulator headquarters in the Metaverse. The expansion of VARA’s resources to a borderless sandbox world is part of Dubai's strategy to create a decentralized regulator model. VARA also aims to facilitate engagement between virtual asset service providers, ...

Protecting and safeguarding marks in the Middle East and North Africa requires certain considerations related to the nature of the Arabic language and local laws that govern trademarks, say author names to follow. Nearly all countries provide interested third parties with an opposition period prior to registration, which ranges from 30 days to several ...

Seemingly, out of nowhere, interest in digital assets like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has surged in recent years and sales have exceeded a whopping USD 2.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021. With nearly twice as many buyers as sellers, sports memorabilia companies, musicians, artists, and publishers have harnessed NFTs to monetize their works ...

With interminable shores along the Indian Ocean and a total area of 947,303 square kilometers, Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa occupying an unrivaled regional role that is increasing in significance. Due to its vast natural resources, Tanzania has achieved high growth rates and is experiencing stable economic development. Tanzania encourages foreign ...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has garnered an illustrious reputation of having one of the most robust anti-counterfeiting regimes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The UAE, which is hailed as a desert oasis of opportunities, offers a prime location for the launch and marketing of international brands and is an ...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA). The founding of the ERRA, a first-of-its-kind association in the region, comes in light of the UAE’s vision to promote creativity, protect the copyrights of content creators, and safeguard the rights of authors and publishers through appropriate laws and legislations. By ...

Kuwait issued Ministerial Decree No. 4 of 2022, which stipulates the registration of trade names in Arabic. The Decree, which was published in the Official Gazette in January 2022, states that a trade name may be registered in both Arabic and Latin characters. The Latin name should be synonymous with the Arabic translation or ...

As more and more patent offices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) evolve with updated laws, regulations or systems, the services they provide improve and become more streamlined and efficient. Not surprisingly, the Patent Office in Kuwait (KPO) launched an updated version of its e-platform in February 2022. The KPO initially unveiled its online ...

Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, is one of the fastest growing states among the 188 International Monetary Fund member countries. This growth, which has been driven by the government’s investment in infrastructure, as well as sustained progress in the agricultural and service sectors, is expected to keep rising in the years to ...

Starting July 1, 2019, professional charges in Bahrain will be subject to five percent Value Added Tax. This comes after the release of the VAT regulations in the country and the publication of the VAT Law in January 2019. Each member state of the GCC is now expected to establish its own separate national legislation ...

On December 13, 2018, following the recent decision to begin substantive examination of pending and new patent applications, the Patent Office in Bahrain issued the Implementing Regulations of Law no. 1 of 2004 concerning patents and utility models. The long-awaited Implementing Regulations are expected to pave the way to a clearer patent procurement process. With ...

Saudi Arabia notified the World Trade Organization of its plans to adopt plain packaging of tobacco products. The proposal, which was filed on September 12, 2018 and reviewed by the authorities concerned at the WTO, was accompanied by a draft regulation titled “Plain Packaging Standards of Tobacco Products.” While Saudi Arabia did not disclose when ...

The Middle East and North Africa is a lucrative, yet extremely competitive market for the tobacco industry, with cases fought over the most minuscule elements of packaging. Global brands should familiarize themselves with the similarities – and differences – between local regimes before diving in. So what trademark issues specific to the MENA region should the tobacco companies be ...

Given Jordan’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Patent and Trademark Office announced that it plans to begin receiving and processing all applications in electronic format as of January 1, 2019. In this regard, the PTO has been holding a training sessions, and Saba IP was selected to participate and present to ...

Our annual “Year in Review” sums up the most important intellectual property news and developments that unfolded over the past year in the Middle East, Africa, and their neighboring regions. As we have seen in previous years, the trend to ditch paper in favor of electronic filing is still on the rise. Algeria, Azerbaijan, Iran, ...

In September 2018, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property participated in the 58th meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization. This is the first time SAIP represents as a high-level delegation in the WIPO general assembly meetings. The authorities concerned announced the upcoming launch of the Academy of the World Intellectual Property Organization in Saudi ...

Trademark renewals may be submitted electronically at the Trademark Office in the Kuwait as of late September 2018. The new process involves uploading the supporting documents to the TMO’s new online system. It is worth noting that the online publication in official gazette will occur on later stage filing the renewal and paying the official ...

Following the recent introduction of value added tax in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, VAT is expected to be introduced in Bahrain as of January 1, 2019. The VAT will apply to goods and services at the standard rate of five percent, with some limited exceptions on basic food items, healthcare, and education. ...

There have been controversial reports claiming that the Trademark Office in Kuwait issued a memo relating to a deadline for dealing with pending trademark applications filed prior to 2018. In fact, the TMO is presently examining all pending applications filed prior to 2018, and for that it called on all applicants and their representatives to ...

In an effort to promote the registration of the internationalized country code top-level domain (“.alurdun”), the Jordan National Information Technology Center announced a reduction in the registration fees. Furthermore, the protection period became one year instead of two. The table below offers more information on Arabic domain names in the Middle East and North Africa. ...

In their continuous efforts to eliminate imitation and fake goods, the Ministry of Commerce and Investment recently seized more than 17,000 counterfeit products bearing well-known brand names. The authorities concerned at the MCI will be taking the necessary legal procedures and referring the cases to the public prosecution, as this activity is considered a violation ...

The Trademark Office in Yemen reiterated that claiming class headings is not possible, as it recently stated in Ministerial Resolution no. 72 of 2018. Applicants are unable to file an application claiming the whole class without specifying the particular goods or services. In other words, the actual language of the goods or services specified in ...

The Trademark Office in Lebanon introduced revised procedures related to the recordal of assignments and mergers. Effective June 29, 2018, applicants must submit the original certificate of registration along with the application for the recordal of an assignment and/or merger as an additional documentary requirement. The TMO will then issue a new certificate afterwards, instead ...

Trademark renewals may be submitted electronically at the Trademark Office in the United Arab Emirates as of June 26, 2018. The new process involves uploading the supporting documents to the online system, along with a renewal announcement in two local newspapers. The certificate will then be issued instantaneously, which significantly speeds up the renewal process. ...

Recently, and after much deliberation, the Iranian Intellectual Property Office issued a decision relating to the calculation of annuities and patent term expiration. According to the new decision, the following will apply: For new patent applications entered in Iran via PCT on or after May 30, 2018, the annuities due at the time of filing ...

In light of the recent decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, informally known as the Iran Deal, the United States is expected to begin reimposing certain sanctions on Iran. These sanctions, however, include a waiver that allows the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Iran. The provision, which may ...

The Office of the United States Trade Representative published the Special 301 Report on April 27, 2018, reviewing global developments on trade and intellectual property. The MENA countries on the watch list are Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries do in fact maintain strong IP laws and are ...

The Trademark Office in Yemen announced new regulations related to trademark registration procedures. The regulations, which were promulgated through Ministerial Decision no. 20 of 2018, entered into force on March 18, 2018 and stipulate the following: The registration procedures of all pending applications must be completed within 12 months as from filing date; otherwise the ...

With the advent of the INTA Annual Meeting this month, we address recent trademark updates including official fees, procedural changes, e-filing, packaging requirements. Increase in Official Fees and Introduction of VAT Be it directly or indirectly related to the implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark Law, we have witnessed throughout 2017 a considerable increase ...

With a transcontinental location in Africa and Asia, and a considerable proximity to Europe, Egypt occupies an unrivaled and an increasingly significant regional role in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt holds the record for being the most populous country in the region with over 94 million inhabitants. More than half of Egypt’s residents ...

Protection and enforcement of Intellectual property rights are becoming essential aspects in driving growth, innovation and investment in the Middle East and North Africa. IP enforcement procedures and the possible measures vary significantly from one country to the other and trademark owners are able to benefit from a wide range of enforcement options. Generally speaking, ...

In the scope of their continuous efforts to create competent border enforcement measures and to provide effective protection, the Saudi Customs Authority and our local affiliate in Saudi Arabia signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the in order to benefit from the trademark recordation system for registered trademarks. It is worth noting that Upon ...

The African Intellectual Property Organization, better known by its French acronym OAPI, recently adopted the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification, thus replacing the outgoing 10th Edition. The adoption of the 11th Edition will not affect trademarks already filed and registered. Upon next renewal, goods and services affected by this change in formalities should be ...

Iran recently ratified its instrument of accession to the Locarno Agreement, which establishes a classification for industrial designs. The Agreement is expected to enter into force on July 12, 2018. By way of background, the Locarno Agreement stipulates procedures for establishing, amending and additionally creating international classification for industrial designs. The Locarno Classification consists of ...

Following the news announcing the implementation of electronic filing of patent applications, the Patent Office in Bahrain is starting substantive examination of pending applications. Whereas there has been no official notice in this regard, we will be notifying our clients should the examination reports become available. Any change in the examination procedures and related official ...

The Trademark Office in Morocco, which is known by its French acronym OMPIC, announced that trademark certificates will be issued electronically as of May 28, 2018. We are pleased to announce that our colleagues in Morocco utilized the system as soon as it became available, thus ensuring we were among the first to receive an ...

Patent laws in practically all jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa clearly define what is considered to be an infringement act and from what date such acts may be considered infringing. As is the case in most countries outside the MENA region, there are many infringement exemptions that can be summarized in a ...

Afghanistan became the 101st member to join the Madrid Protocol on March 26, 2018. The Protocol is expected to enter into force on June 26, 2018. Other countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are party to the Madrid Protocol are Algeria, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. ...

Given the recent trend in going paperless in the region, the Trademark Office in the United Arab Emirates announced that official searches will be conducted online as of April 21, 2018. This news follows a recent move by the TMO to issue certificates electronically as of November 2017. By way of background, it is significantly ...

The Patent Office in Bahrain recently announced that it will begin receiving and processing patent applications in electronic form. The e-portal allows for the submission of application forms electronically along with soft copies of the required documents such as the power of attorney, assignment from inventors, and Arabic translation. We are pleased to announce that ...

King Abdul Aziz City of Science and Technology, where the Saudi Patent Office resides, signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Patent Office. The MOU, which aims to strengthen the patent system and increase bilateral cooperation, foresees joint activities in the areas of patent procedures, search, examination and automation, as well as use and ...

Plant variety laws, among other norms of positive legal systems such as trademark and patent laws, were introduced in the past in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, either by their own codes or by including them in general codes. Such laws explore and discuss the plant varieties protected, the duration of ...

The Trademark Office in Iraq announced that trademark applications may be filed in Latin script without having to submit the Arabic transliteration of the mark. This update rescinds the previous registration requirement that demanded trademarks to be filed in Arabic alongside the Latin version, which provided for the protection of the transliteration of a registered ...

We are pleased to announce that we are moving to a larger office premises in the United Arab Emirates. Effective March 19, 2018, our new contact details will be as follows: Tamani Arts Tower - 18th FloorAl Asayel Street, Business BayDubai, UAEP.O. Box 42259Telephone: +971 4 553 9911Fax: +971 4 566 8470 Should you have any questions, please ...

Maps of the Middle East illustrate Kuwait as a small country in the region. But what the country lacks in geographic size, it makes up in economic impact. Kuwait is a high income economy backed by the world's sixth largest oil reserves, and the Kuwaiti dinar is the highest valued currency in the world. Local ...

The Fifth Civil Court of First Instance (Fifth Circuit) in Syria recently announced that it will be handling all intellectual property related matters in lieu of the First Circuit, which typically handles commercial disputes. The Fifth Circuit will be holding hearings related to IP disputes in Damascus only. Pending cases may face a delay as ...

With interminable shores along the Indian Ocean and a total area of 947,303 square kilometers, Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa occupying an unrivaled regional role that is increasing in significance. Due to its vast natural resources, Tanzania has achieved high growth rates and is experiencing stable economic development. Tanzania encourages foreign investment, ...

Starting January 2, 2018, the value added tax increased in Tunisia from 18 percent to 19 percent. The increase in the VAT rate in Tunisia follows a similar increase in Lebanon, where the VAT stands at 11 percent up from a level of 10 percent. Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, ...

The 11th edition of the Nice Classification entered into force in February, 2018 in Oman, thus replacing the outgoing 10th edition. The adoption of the 11th edition will not affect trademarks already filed and registered in Oman. Upon next renewal, goods and classes affected by this change in formalities should be reclassified accordingly by the ...

New regulations set by the authorities concerned at the Ministries of Agriculture and Economy and Trade have made it mandatory to indicate, among other information, the importer’s name and address on imported food packages. The required information must be written in either Arabic, English, or French, as per the requirements listed in Common Decision no. ...

The African Intellectual Property Organization, better known by its French acronym OAPI, will be setting up two separate directorates in the near future—a Trademark Office and a Patent Office. For the time being, one IP directorate still serves as the registry for both trademark and patent matters. This update comes in light of a resolution ...

Over the past few decades, the Middle East and North Africa region witnessed an increased interest in intellectual property. This is primarily evidenced by the urge to update or introduce IP laws and implementing regulations. With the exception of a few countries, the current laws and regulations governing IP rights are in line with applied ...

The tenth edition of the Nice Classification entered into force on January 1, 2018 in the West Bank, thus replacing the outgoing eighth edition. The adoption of the 10th edition will not affect trademarks already filed and registered in the West Bank. Upon next renewal, goods and classes affected by this change in formalities should ...

The Trademark Office in Kuwait announced that it will begin receiving and processing trademark applications in electronic form as of January 2, 2018. New applications will be allotted an e-number by the TMO, which includes the year of filing (example 321/2018). Besides serving as the filing number, the e-number will also be the registration number, ...

Given the country's unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, Qatar ratified Ministerial Decision no. 45 of 2017 on Establishing the Committee for the Preparation of the National Strategy for Intellectual Property and Innovation. The Decision was published in the official gazette on December 31, 2017, and came into force on January 1, 2018. ...

Starting January 1, 2018, our charges in Saudi Arabia will be inclusive of five percent Value Added Tax. This comes after the release of the VAT regulations in the country on August 29, 2017 and the publication of the VAT Law in July of the same year. The regulations, the Law and the finalized Gulf ...

With the Middle East and North Africa becoming an exceedingly profitable market for companies when considering an international expansion, it is certainly time to take a step back and consider your trademark portfolio and your filing strategy in the region. The below cheat sheet sums up the most important and relevant questions on filing a ...

The Trademark Office in the United Arab Emirates announced that trademark certificates will be issued electronically starting from gazette number 181 onwards. It is worth noting that no certificates will be issued for applications that will be accepted and published after November 2017. We are pleased to announce that our colleagues at UAE Office utilized ...

The Iraqi Trademark Office is officially asking for the refiling of a trademark application with filing number preceding 72,000 only if the application is determined to be confusingly similar/identical to a newly filed application by a third party pursuant to relative grounds examination. The deadline to refile the application will be seven days from the ...

The Trademark Office in Afghanistan announced that there is no longer a grace period for the renewal of an expired trademark. The previous practice at the TMO allowed for a six-month grace period. With this announcement, it is advisable that all renewals must be filed no later than one month before their expiration date. Should ...

Our annual “Year in Review” series sums up the most important intellectual property developments and news that unfolded over the past year in the Middle East, North Africa, and their neighboring regions. The past year marked a landmark achievement for Saba IP, as we have been honored with the IP Firm of the Year award ...

The Trademark Office in Saudi Arabia declared that the validity of the Power of Attorney is now five years from the date of issuance, unless the duration on the POA is stated otherwise or the POA is revoked.This update comes in light of a memo issued by the Ministry of Justice on March 15, 2016, ...

The Trademark Office in Iraq is expected to introduce in the near future a new procedure for the renewal of trademarks, and for the recordal of assignment, merger, change of name, as well as change of address. This procedure would entail the publication of notices in the Official Gazette.At present, publications for these type of ...

Following a brief disruption, the Trademark Office in the Kurdish region of Iraq has resumed operations, and is now accepting new trademark applications and processing pending applications. It is worth noting that there are two Trademark Offices in Iraq, the aforementioned office in Erbil and another in the capital, Baghdad. The TMO in Erbil follows ...

With coasts along the Arabian Sea, Oman occupies a regional position of great importance. The Omani peninsula of Musandam sits on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic location that serves as the gateway of oil flow from Gulf Cooperation Council states to the world. Article 11 in the Basic Statute of the Sultanate of Oman ...

In its continuous commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights, Saudi Arabia recently released Maroof, an online platform that was developed by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment to enhance the e-commerce experience of online shoppers and to combat the sale of counterfeit products in the country. Through an online portal and a dedicated ...

Value added tax is expected to be introduced in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as of January 1, 2018. The VAT will apply to goods and services at the standard rate of five percent, with some limited exceptions on basic food items, healthcare, and education. By way of background, the VAT Law is ...

The Trademark Office in Egypt announced that the official fees for trademark matters have considerably increased across the board in comparison with their previous level. The new rates became effective as of October 15, 2017 and will cover new as well as pending applications. Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decision no. 2133 of 2017, the official fees for publication of trademarks and designs have increased in Syria. The new rates will become effective as of October 15, 2017. This news comes in light of an increment that was also imposed on the official examination fees for patent applications back in July ...

Pursuant to Decree no. 67 of 2017 and the agreement signed between the European Patent Office and the Tunisian Patent Office (INNORPI) in July 2014, European patent applications filed on or after December 1, 2017 can designate TN and European patent grants can be validated in Tunisia. Although Tunisia is not a European Patent Convention ...

Morocco recently announced an increase in the official fees for all intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, and industrial designs. The increase also applies to examination and the annuity maintenance fees for patents and utility models. The new rates will enter into force on October 1, 2017. By way of background, Morocco has a relatively ...

Pursuant to new procedures adopted at the Trademark Office in Kuwait, the TMO will be issuing separate certificates for renewal and recordal matters, which include changes of name or address, assignments, and mergers. Previously, the TMO requested the filing of the original trademark registration certificate for the endorsement of any recordal. This update comes in ...

Given Saudi Arabia’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved the formation of the Saudi Intellectual Property Commission and published its Implementing Regulations. The Commission will be led by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment and its duties will include handling all IP matters in the country. Pursuant ...

As per Circular no. 6 of 2016, it is possible to pay the trademark renewal fees without a surcharge until the last day of the protection period. In the past the last day to pay the renewal fees without a surcharge was the first day of the renewal period. Late payment of renewal fees is ...

Iran, the second-largest nation in the Middle East, shares borders with Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. The country has a coastline that stretches 2,440 km along the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. Iran’s GDP is estimated to be $1.459 trillion, whereas the GDP per capita is $18,100. Industry accounts ...

Starting October 1, 2017, the value added tax (also known as the goods and services tax) will increase in Lebanon from 10 percent to 11 percent.The increase in the VAT rate comes in the wake of the Lebanese government's approval to raise public sector wages as a way to directly finance this raise.Should you have ...

The Trademark Office in Bahrain announced that all new trademark applications must include the applicant’s complete address, including the building number and street name. Prior to this change, the TMO accepted applications listing only the applicant's P.O. Box number. This news follows the recent introduction of online trademark registration in Bahrain. The new procedure, which paves ...

Pursuant to Circular no. 36838 of 2017, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority announced that pharmaceutical companies are now required to provide the Arabic translation of the Summary of Product Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet for all drugs they produce. Seeing that the use of Arabic is not a matter of choice but is ...

Algeria recently filed its instrument of accession to the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, which regulates copyright for audiovisual performances and expands the performers' rights by affording them more proprietary rights. The Treaty grants performers four kinds of economic rights for their performances fixed in audiovisual fixations, such as motion pictures: (i) the right of ...

Oman has officially adopted the Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark Law as of Monday July 31, 2017. The decision, which was promulgated by Royal Decree no. 33 of 2017, was published in the Official Gazette on July 30, 2017. We now await issuance of the Implementing Regulations by the authorities concerned, which is expected to coincide ...

Given Jordan’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Jordanian Patent Office announced that it will begin receiving and processing local and international applications in electronic form via ePCT filing in its capacity as the receiving office. This news follows the recent amendment and publication of Patent Law no. 16 and Patent Law ...

After a brief disruption, the Trademark Office in the Kurdish region of Iraq has resumed operations and is currently accepting trademark applications. It is worth noting that there are two Trademark Offices in Iraq, the aforementioned office in Erbil and another in the capital, Baghdad. In principle, the scope of the registration at the Baghdad ...

Article 31 of the Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark Law, which is applied in Saudi Arabia, states that "[a] contract licensing the use of a trademark shall only be valid, unless it is written, and it is not a must to be recorded in the Trademarks Register." The Law further elaborates that "[i]f same is recorded ...

The Trademark Office of the African Intellectual Property Organization, commonly referred to as OAPI, recently announced that it is adopting the 11th edition of the Nice classification. OAPI is composed of 17 French speaking African states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoro Islands, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, ...

Given the improving patent landscape and developing economies of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the region is posited as a very attractive market for innovator companies to consider when looking at expanding their presence internationally. As such, it is certainly time to take a step back and consider your patent portfolio ...

The Saudi Trademark and Patent Offices and the GCC Patent Office announced that they will be closed from June 23 to July 8, 2017 in observance of Eid Al Fitr. All deadlines falling during this period will be extended to July 9, 2017, the first working day following the holiday. Should you have any questions, or require ...

After years of preparation, workshops, and meetings, Jordan has finally taken the leap and acceded to the Patent Cooperation Treaty on March 9, 2017. Given that the Treaty has effectively entered into force today, on June 9, 2017, all international applications, filed on this date or after, will designate Jordan (JO) for national stage entry. ...

The General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on May 28, 2017. The MOU is aimed at strengthening the patent system and increasing bilateral cooperation between the GCC and China in the field of intellectual property. With this ...

The Kuwaiti Patent Office announced that, in collaboration with the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office, they have completed the formality examination for all pending Kuwaiti patent applications. It is expected that the Kuwaiti Patent Office will communicate this news directly with the agent of records and advise on the next steps—that are still not clear ...

The Trademark Office in Iraq recently announced that a legalized copy of the home registration certificate must be submitted in support of trademark applications in class 5 at the time of filing. Marks that are identical to the name of the applicant are exempted from this requirement. It is worth noting that under the previous ...

The Office of the United States Trade Representative published the 2017 Special 301 Report on April 28, 2017, reviewing global developments on trade and intellectual property. Only five countries—from over 20—in the Middle East and North Africa region were included on the watch list, signifying that a majority of jurisdictions have already addressed the need ...

Following the adoption of Law no. 6769 on the Protection of Industrial Property Rights earlier this year, the Implementing Regulations of the Law entered into force on April 24, 2017. By way of background, Law no. 6769, which was introduced on January 10, 2017, repeals and replaces the Decree Laws on Patents and Utility Models, ...

The United Arab Emirates recently signed a cooperation agreement with South Korea aimed towards improving the national patent landscape in the UAE. The news follows an announcement from the UAE Patent Office in the beginning of the year, in which it stated that it will begin receiving and processing local and international applications in electronic ...

With a transcontinental location in Africa and Asia, and a considerable proximity to Europe, Egypt occupies an unrivaled and an increasingly significant regional role in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt holds the record for being the most populous country in the region with over 94 million inhabitants. More than half of Egypt’s residents ...

Patent laws in practically all jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa clearly define what is considered to be an infringement act and from what date such acts may be considered infringing. As is the case in most countries outside the MENA region, there are many infringement exemptions that can be summarized in a ...

INTA here we come again! For more than 30 years in a row, Saba IP will once again participate at INTA Annual Meeting, in Barcelona! Dear Friends and Colleagues, we are thrilled to be meeting you at the conference. Kindly email us at inta@sabaip.com to arrange for a suitable time to meet.

Given Saudi Arabia’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Saudi Council of Ministers recently approved a proposal for the formation of the Saudi Intellectual Property Commission. The committee will be led by the Ministry of Commerce and Investment and its duties will include handling all IP matters in the country. This news ...

As we approach the end of the year’s first quarter, Lebanon and Tunisia join Algeria, Cyprus, and Jordan in adopting the 11th edition of the Nice Classification. The aforementioned jurisdictions are now ready to serve applications for goods and services in the updated classes. Other Trademark Offices in the Middle East and North Africa have ...

Given Qatar’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Qatari Patent Office recently announced that it will begin receiving and processing local and international applications in electronic form. Other jurisdictions in the Arabian Gulf that previously implemented electronic filing for patent applications are Saudi Arabia, the regional office of the Gulf Cooperation Council, ...

Qatar approved the Industrial Designs Draft Law along with its Implementing Regulations on March 15, 2017. The draft is expected to repeal Law no. 9 on Trademarks, Trade Names, Geographical Indications, and Industrial Designs that was issued in 2002. It is worth noting that with the advent of Qatar’s validation of the unified Gulf Cooperation ...

Trademark applications may be submitted electronically at the Bahrain Trademark Office as of February 20, 2017. The new process involves uploading an electronic application to the online system, along with soft copies of the power of attorney and priority document. The updated procedure follows a recent increase in official fees in Bahrain, which was coupled ...

Jordan became the 152nd member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on March 9, 2017, and the most recent Arab state to accede to the PCT. The Treaty is expected to enter into force on June 9, 2017. During the transitional period, the Ministry concerned will raise awareness to familiarize all stakeholders with the PCT.We ...

It is with the deepest of grief that we deliver to you the heartbreaking news of the death of Joseph Sanbar, former chairman of Saba IP. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Mr. Sanbar served the firm tirelessly over a period of more than 50 years, ...

With the adoption of the Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark Law in the country, Saudi Arabia has updated its opposition procedure from a legal to a purely administrative proceeding. Given that oppositions are now administrative proceedings in Saudi Arabia, they are in principle less expensive than the legal proceedings adopted previously. The opposition process remains similar ...

With its significant geopolitical position in the Middle East, Jordan is nestled in the cradle of civilization. Its location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, provides Jordan with convenient access to the international market. The capital, Amman, is Jordan’s most populous city and is the country’s economic, political, and cultural center. Local industries ...

Sudan reinitiated its efforts to join the World Trade Organization on January 31, 2017. The WTO accession process is an integral part of the economic reforms in Sudan, which is receiving strong support from both executive and legislative branches of the government, as well as the private sector. Given the size of Sudan and its ...

Following the drastic drop in the value of the local currency, the Egyptian Patent Office issued a decision to increase the official fees of several patent related services, including the fees for substantive examination. These fees went into effect retroactively for all new patent applications filed on or after February 13, 2017. The notification further announced ...

Starting February 19, 2017, the publication fees for the recordal of assignment, license, mortgage, limitation of goods, amendment of mark, merger, change of name, and change of address will increase two to three times the current level. Online filing is expected to follow suit anytime soon.By way of background, an online platform for the registration ...

The Qatari Trademark Office is accepting applications in classes 43, 44 and 45 as of February 12, 2017. For a long time before the introduction of this new arrangement, the TMO followed the 7th Edition of the Nice Classification, which is limited to 42 classes only. The TMO will soon decide on how it will ...

The latest edition of the Nice Classification (11th edition) entered into force on January 1, 2017. Amendments cover 15 class headings and explanatory notes for seven classes. Furthermore, the list of goods and services was extended by 334 terms. The 11th Edition will be applied to all international trademark applications and registrations received by an ...

The Kuwaiti Trademark Office announced that it plans to issue separate certificates for the renewal and recordals matters for trademarks in the near future. In the meantime, the current procedure of endorsing the original certificates of the trademark registration with renewal and recordals particulars is still in practice. Should you have any questions, or require ...

The United Arab Emirates issued Anti-Commercial Fraud Law no. 19 in December 2016 in an effort to protect consumers and regulate the market. The Law, previously approved by the Federal National Council back in 2014, brings welcome improvements and positive enhancement to existing enforcement measures in the UAE and in particular with regards to increasing ...

New regulations set by the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (GSO) have made it mandatory to feature, among other information, the name of cosmetic and personal care products in Arabic on the packaging of products sold in the United Arab Emirates. The new standard, GSO 1943/2016, lists the requirements and replaces GSO 1943/2009. The standard ...

Turkey announced the adoption of Law No. 6769 on the Protection of Industrial Property Rights, which repeals and replaces the Decree Laws on Patents and Utility Models, on Trademark and Service marks, on Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications. The new Law passed before the Grand National Assembly on December 22, 2016 and entered into force ...

Turkey announced an increase in the official fees for trademark matters. The increase also applies to EP Validation, search and examination, and the annuity maintenance fees for patents and utility models. The new rates went into force as of January 1, 2017. Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us ...

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) recently amended the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs and announced an increase in official fees. The amendments entered into force on January 1, 2017. Some of the amendments include the revision of the provisions for post-grant amendments, restrictions and clarification on multiple dependencies in claims, further clarification ...

We are pleased to announce that we are moving to a larger office premises in Saudi Arabia. Effective January 15, 2017, our new contact details will be as follows: Office #1, 2nd Floor, Tower B, GOSI Olaya Towers Olaya Street, Riyadh 11565, Saudi Arabia P.O. Box 61145 Telephone: +966 11 2079596  Fax: +966 11 2079598 Should ...

With increasing official or government fees across the board relating to Intellectual Property procurement, regional offices can provide a more cost effective alternative when available. Patent attorneys and law firms worldwide are aware of the European Patent Office (EPO) and in most cases of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO). Possibly due to the lag in ...

Border measures are a key tool in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy and a critical element of a successful intellectual property enforcement system. In the scope of the continuous efforts to create competent border enforcement measures and to provide effective protection, recordals in Jordan are available at two different authorities, the General Customs Department ...

Iran recently announced that a legalized extract from the commercial register is required for new trademark applications and oppositions and must be submitted within 60 days from filing date—a simply signed copy is required at the time of filing, however. As for renewal applications, a notarized extract from the commercial register is sufficient.Should you have ...

Pursuant to amending the Patents Law in 2016, the Jordanian Council of Ministers approved the accession of Jordan to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Accordingly, the instrument of accession is being prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Supply and will be signed on behalf of the government of Jordan and submitted at ...

Our annual “Year in Review” series sums up the most important intellectual property developments and news that unfolded over the past year in the Middle East, North Africa and their neighboring regions.This year marked a milestone achievement for Saba IP, as we have been honored with the IP Firm of the Year award for the ...

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on October 3, 2016. The purpose of the MOU is to increase bilateral cooperation between the two regional organizations in the field of intellectual property. This cooperation will be achieved by: The publication of ARIPO ...

Djibouti became the 150th member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on June 23, 2016. Accordingly, PCT entered into force on September 23, 2016 and DJ will be automatically designated on all PCT applications as of that date. The Office of Industrial Property and Commerce of Djibouti will act as a receiving office for local ...

The tenth edition of the Nice Classification is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2017 in Kuwait, thus replacing the outgoing eighth edition. The adoption of the 10th edition will not affect trademarks already filed and registered in Kuwait. Upon next renewal, goods and classes affected by this change in formalities should be ...

Qatar issued Law no. 10 of 2016 which repeals Law no. 20 of 2002. The new law entered into force on October 11, 2016 and provides a broader ban on advertisements and promotional activities for cigarettes or tobacco and its derivatives. Article 7 of the law stipulates that it is prohibited to import, distribute, promote, ...

The Patent Office in Oman announced that substantive examination fees related to patent applications that have passed formality examination between 2013 and 2014 must be paid by November 21, 2016. No extension of time is possible. As a reminder, the Omani and the Egyptian Patent Offices signed a memorandum of understanding on September 10, 2014 ...

Pursuant to the Ministerial Decree approving the Implementing Regulations of the GCC Trademark Law, the official fees for trademark related matters will increase significantly across the board in comparison with their current level, and are expected to become effective in the country within the coming few days. The exact date of implementation is not clear ...

As a reminder, Kuwait became the 149th member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on June 9, 2016, and the sixth and final Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to accede to the PCT. Accordingly, Kuwait became bound by the PCT on September 9, 2016 and KW will be automatically designated on all PCT applications ...

The Middle East and North Africa is a very attractive market for innovator companies to consider when looking at expanding presence internationally. Given the improving patent landscape and developing economies of the countries in the region it is certainly time to take a step back and consider your patent portfolio and your filing strategy in ...

With coasts along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco occupies a regional position of great importance. Morocco has made use of its proximity to Europe and its location at the gates of the Western Mediterranean, along with skilled labor, to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of Morocco’s economy ...

It is now possible to file for Customs recordal in Abu Dhabi, effective as of August 21, 2016. This makes Abu Dhabi the fifth Emirate (out of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates) to allow for recordal, in addition to the Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. Recordal of marks will undoubtedly ...

The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) launched a new electronic system for recording trademarks and processing complaints against importers and distributors of suspected counterfeits. The updated e-service replaces the previous procedure that required complaints to be submitted in person, which is expected to minimize paper work and facilitate processing of complaints and notifications relating to ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decision no. 1540 of 2016, the official examination fees for patent applications have increased in the country, effective as of July 1, 2016. An increment was also imposed on trademark publication fees back in May of the same year. We have absorbed our costs in both instances, in spite of the increase ...

Over the past several years, almost every country in the MENA region has updated, revamped or introduced new patent laws in regards to pharma; with many adopting internationally accepted practices. While in the past only pharmaceutical processes were patentable, it is now possible to patent pharmaceutical products or substances. In most cases, only new chemical ...

The new GCC Trademark Law and Implementing Regulations were published in the Saudi Official Gazette on July 1, 2016. The Law is expected to enter into force after 90 days from the publication date. The GCC Trademark Law, unlike the GCC Patent Law, is a unifying, not a unitary law. The Law was issued in ...

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a lucrative but competitive market for the tobacco industry, with cases fought over the tiniest elements of packaging. Global brands should familiarize themselves with the similarities – and differences – between local regimes before diving in. So what trademark issues specific to the MENA region should the tobacco companies be aware ...

Djibouti became the 150th member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on June 23, 2016. The Treaty is expected to enter into force on September 23, 2016. This development is indicative of the country’s drive and motivation to develop its patent filing system.The table below lists the jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa region that ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decision no. 124/2016, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) in Oman now has the authority to cancel or ask the applicant to alter the registration of any trade name if it is similar to a registered trademark or any component of the trademark, or if it is similar to another trade ...

Kuwait became the 149th member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on June 9, 2016, and the sixth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to accede to the PCT. The Treaty is expected to enter into force on September 9, 2016. With Kuwait’s accession, all GCC countries are now members of the PCT, thus enabling ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decision no. 1171 of 2016, the official fees of trademarks and designs have increased in Syria. The new rates became effective as of May 22, 2016 and will be applied on all new as well as pending applications, including recordals. We have absorbed the costs, in spite of the increase in fees, and ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 65 of 2016 approving the Implementing Regulations of the GCC Trademark Law, the official fees for trademark related matters have increased significantly across the board in comparison with their current level. The new rates became effective as of May 29, 2016 and will be applied on all new as well ...

Pursuant to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Health on April 3, 2016, which was addressed to the Industrial Property Office, a revised set of requirements for trademark applications in class 5 (covering pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations and sanitary preparations for medical purposes) is now in effect. Under the new requirements, applicants are ...

Jordan is expected to join Egypt, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Syria in their call for the compulsory use of the Arabic script of a mark on signboards. This comes pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 of Law no. 35 of 2015 for the protection of the Arabic language introduced in the ...

Plant variety laws, among other norms of positive legal systems such as trademark and patent laws, were introduced in the past in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, either by their own codes or by including them in general codes. Such laws explore and discuss the plant varieties protected, the duration of ...

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Trade and Industry approved Law no. 115 of 2016 on the regulations implementing patent Law no. 71 of 2013. The new Law was published on April 3, 2016 and went into effect the following day. Accordingly, the Kuwaiti Patent Law and regulations which are in force as of April 4, 2016 ...

There has been a move towards electronic filing over the past few years in several countries of our region, namely Algeria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Morocco, UAE, West Bank, and Yemen, and we are seeing Cyprus getting on board only recently. The next country on that list is likely to be Jordan following the ...

Now that the Qatari Patent Office has been actively examining patent applications for the past several months and has even issued decisions on several applications, there is a need for applicants and interested parties to have a clear mechanism for appealing or opposing such decisions. As part of the country's efforts in advancing its IP ...

Pursuant to the Implementing Regulations issued in 2014 of the Ethiopian Trademark Law of 2006, the Trademark Office is expected to introduce in the near future a new procedure for the renewal of trademarks, which would entail the publication of renewal notices in the local newspapers. At present, renewal publications are not required. A lot of questions ...

Pursuant to Law no. 23-13 amending and completing Law no. 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property, European patent applications filed on or after March 1, 2015 may designate MA and EP grants may be validated in Morocco. After the patent application is published by the EPO, the applicant may file a request for provisional ...

In September of 2014, the Omani Patent Office signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Patent Office, whereby the latter will act as the examining office for all pending and new patent applications filed in Oman. Since then, we have seen several applications going through examination and examination reports being issued. In December of ...

With increasing official fees across the board relating to Intellectual Property procurement, regional offices can provide a more cost effective alternative when available. Patent attorneys and law firms worldwide are aware of the European Patent Office (EPO) and in most cases of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO). Possibly due to the lag in emergence and ...

Dear Friends and Colleagues,  We will be attending INTA’s 138th Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL from May 21, 2016 to May 25, 2016. We look forward to seeing you at the conference this year. Kindly email us at inta@sabaip.com to arrange for a suitable time to meet. Sincerely,  INTA TEAM – Saba IP

Barely a year and a half after issuing Law no. 36/2014 paving the way for Kuwait’s accession to the Paris Convention in November 2014, Kuwait’s Council of Ministers voted and published on March 27, 2016 a new law, Law no. 11/2016, which paves the way for the country’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Building ...

Effective immediately, applications for trademark renewal will only be filed online. This move to e-filing comes also with a substantial increase in publication fees - 10 fold the current level.  There have also been a number of unconfirmed reports that recordal applications will also be filed online. Although not implemented yet, this move to e-filing ...

Local Design Laws Design laws, among other norms of positive legal systems such as trademark and patent laws, were introduced in the past in almost all of the countries of the MENA region, either by their own codes or by including them in general codes. These laws explore and discuss the designs protected, the duration ...

The Trademark Office of Afghanistan has shifted its classification system from multi-class to single class applications even though no Ministerial Resolution was issued to support this new line of practice. It is still not clear how the TMO is going to treat pending trademark applications as well as trademark registrations following this new classification system. ...

A prior trademark clearance search is now a prerequisite for every trademark application submitted at the TMO before the filing particulars are issued. This new line of practice could at some point cut down the backlog of work by essentially reducing the time it takes to perform examination on relative grounds at a later stage. ...

We have been honored with the IP Firm of the Year award for the Middle East for 2016, conferred during the MIP’s annual Global Awards ceremony that was held in London on March 10, 2016. We are certainly proud to be showcased and celebrated among the best in our industry. Needless to say, our relentless ...

According to the new regulations that will come into effect on March 15, 2016, imported goods will not legally enter into the Egyptian market unless the merchandise is authorized by the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC). In order to obtain authorization, importers are required to record the name of the manufacturer, as ...

Tunisia recently approved the European Patent Validation Law, which will enter into force following issuance of the related implementing regulations.  This comes one year and a half following the agreement between the Tunisian Patent Office (INNORPI) and the EPO allowing European patent applications to designate TN and eventually for the EP grants to be validated ...

Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading producer of oil, has been vigorously promoting innovation and the advancement of the protection and enforcement of patents. The most recent development on this front was the publication of new Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law to include provisions concerning the national stage entry of PCT patent applications. These regulations ...

Now that the patent cliff is behind us and the race to develop new blockbusters against key molecular targets is on, it is certainly time to take a step back and consider your patent portfolio and your filing strategy. With the US now operating on a first-to-file principle, there is no doubt left that filing ...

In its continuous effort to boost intellectual property protection in the region, the UAE will be setting up specialized IPR courts across the country, as per Ministerial Resolution No. 137 for 2016. This applies to federal courts and hence, emirates which have their own court system, such as Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah, are not subject ...

The Kuwaiti TMO has introduced a number of substantial procedural changes pursuant to Ministerial Decree No. 500 of 2015 published on December 27, 2015 (approving the Implementing Regulations of the GCC Trademark Law). The opposition period has been modified. The period will no longer end 30 days from the third publication in the Official Gazette. The opposition ...

Maps of the Middle East illustrate Kuwait as a small country in the region. But what the country lacks in geographic size, it makes up in economic impact. Kuwait is a high income economy backed by the world's sixth largest oil reserves and the Kuwaiti dinar is the highest valued currency in the world. Local ...

The opposition system in the MENA region runs smoothly as it comes in line with the underlying provisions of the trademark laws that are in place, as well as numerous treaty obligations including the Paris convention filings and protection of unregistered well-known trademarks. There is no pan-Arab opposition system in view of the fact that a ...

ARIPO recently revised the Implementing Regulations concerning trademarks, patents, and industrial designs, with the amendments entering into force on January 1, 2016. The definition of a trademark was broadened to include non-conventional trademarks. However, many issues relating to the examination and enforceability of non-conventional marks remain unclear. E-filing of trademark applications is expected to be implemented in ...

Saudi Arabia recently published new Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law to include provisions concerning the national stage entry of PCT patent applications. These regulations entered into force starting December 19, 2015. Revisions to the Implementing Regulations include the possibility of requesting extensions of time during prosecution, and the possibility to restore abandoned or canceled patent ...

The Libyan Trademark Office announced a December 31, 2015 deadline for reinstatement of trademark registrations which have expired between 2013 and 2015. According to the statutory provisions, the protection period is ten years from the filing date. However, the purpose of the present exemption is to address the considerable backlog of work that the TMO ...

The issuance of the Implementing Regulations of the GCC Trademark Law in May 2015 by the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee beckoned a new era for a regional trademark law in the Middle East. The GCC states, namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have been involved in the coordination of ...

Saudi Arabia announced that all beauty products must be registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority through the eCosma portal for free until the end of 2016. eCosma is an electronic system that allows importers and manufacturers of cosmetic products marketed in the country to register their cosmetic products with SFDA and ensure that their products ...

Innovation and creativity are penchants of the fashion industry; an industry that dictates style worldwide. A fashion item may even transcend its physical form and be hailed as a trend setter and an inspiration for decades. The process of production in the fashion industry relies on a substantial investment of both inventiveness and capital. This ...

Pursuant to Ministerial Decree No. 500 of 2015 published on December 27, 2015 (approving the implementing regulations of the GCC trademark law), the official fees for trademark related matters have increased significantly across the board in comparison with their current level. Although Decree No. 500 will enter into force one day following publication in the ...

Our annual “Year in Review” series sums up the most important intellectual property developments and news that unfolded over the past year in the Middle East, North Africa and their neighboring regions. We are still waiting to see the effects of the political and civil uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria on the ...

This article focuses on the bona fide use requirement in the Middle East region, and how the practice differs from that of the US, beginning first with an overview of the statutory provisions on use in the local trademark laws – with an examination of the various procedural contexts in which this issue may arise.  ...

The TMO has now reportedly opened the door until December 31, 2015 for the reinstatement of trademark registrations which have expired in the years 2013 to 2015. According to the statutory provisions, the protection period is 10 years from filing date. However, the purpose of this present exemption is to address the considerable backlog of ...

Trademark applications and renewals may be submitted electronically at the UAE Trademark Office as of December 6, 2015. The new process involves uploading an electronic application to the online system, along with soft copies of the power of attorney and priority document. Submitting paper copies of the application and supporting documents will still be required ...

The Iranian Intellectual Property Office announced that all translated documents, including power of attorney, must bear the seal of the Iranian consulate on every page or at least include a seal indicating number of pages with an official stamp of notary public and the seal of the Iranian consulate. This update applies to all pending ...

Three primary criteria exist for a pharmaceutical company to examine when formulating a marketing strategy; these are as follows: market size and growth, protection of intellectual property rights, and enforcement of said rights. This report attempts to provide an insight into these criteria as they relate to the Middle East and North Africa market. Pharmaceuticals ...

Protecting pharmaceutical marks in the Middle East is a challenging, labor-intensive process, which requires special consideration and handling. However, with high imports of branded drugs and soaring growth, this is not a market that rights holders can afford to ignore. The Arab pharmaceutical market is reportedly worth around $20 billion and estimated to grow at ...

Iran, is the second-largest nation in the Middle East. Iran shares borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iraq. The country has a coastline that stretches 2,440 km along the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. Iran’s GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated to be $987.1 billion, whereas the GDP ...

The Middle East and North Africa is a lucrative but competitive market for confectioners, with cases fought over the tiniest elements of packaging. Global brands should familiarize themselves with the similarities – and differences – between local regimes before diving in. Confectionery businesses are going to surprising lengths in order to protect themselves in an ...

Trademark renewals are expected to be filed online in Saudi Arabia by the end of the year. There have been a number of unconfirmed reports that  the renewal of trademarks will only be filed online. The move to electronic filing of trademark registrations back in late 2013 saw a substantial increase in publication fees. Accordingly, ...

The Trademark Office in Libya began issuing trademark registration certificates for applications in the 5000 series after years of civil unrest in the country. In light of this new development, we will be reviewing the files for all pending applications awaiting certificates and will be following-up on their status with the TMO. Should you have ...

Trademark renewals and recordals are expected to be filed online in Saudi Arabia by mid-October. There have been a number of unconfirmed reports claiming that, effective mid-October, the renewal and recordal of trademarks will only be filed online. The move to electronic filing of trademark registrations back in late 2013 saw a substantial increase in ...

Requirements for trademark license recordal are worthy of examination by businesses considering an expansion into the markets of the Middle East, North Africa, and their neighboring regions. License recordal is compulsory in Iraq, Libya, Oman, Qatar, and Syria, whereas the common practice and the implementing regulations of the trademark laws of our region do not ...

Jordan has recently amended the Standards and Metrology Organization Law (JSMO) by virtue of Law No. 38 of 2015. Article 12 of the amended law now gives the JSMO the authority to confiscate counterfeit products and to raid shops suspected of selling or making counterfeit products. The same article allows the destruction of products that ...

Iran has recently grown increasingly important as a consumer market, and is expected to become a major hub for regional trade following the imminent lifting of sanctions. With a developing economy comes the apparent increase both in the volume and types of counterfeit and infringing products trafficked into and from or through the country. Brand owners ...

Algeria became the 95th member to join the Madrid Protocol. The Protocol is expected to enter into force on October 31, 2015.Algeria is also party to the Berne Convention, Madrid Agreement (Source), Nairobi Treaty, Paris Convention, Patent Law Treaty (signature), Rome Convention, Lisbon Agreement, Madrid Agreement (Marks), Patent Cooperation Treaty, Locarno Agreement (signature), and Nice ...

Saudi Arabia has successfully seized 34 million counterfeit items in the first half of 2015. Customs officials in Saudi Arabia are actively screening incoming shipments for counterfeit goods as well as goods that the do not meet the country’s health and safety standards and specifications. In addition to the 34 million counterfeits seized, this ongoing ...

The first-to-file concept is given considerable weight in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Although common law rights are, in principle, recognized in GCC countries, registration of marks is highly recommended and the mere registration can be a basis to sue an infringer, although the risks of a non-use cancellation action must be factored-in in any filing strategy. ...

The Patent Office in Qatar announced that the deadline for the submission of the required documents and payment of official fees, annuities, and substantive examination fees will be extended to September 30, 2015, for patents filed before December 31, 2014. As for new patent applications, in addition to the filling fees, the patent office will collect the second annuity ...

The Administrative Panel, assigned for case number D0778-2015 at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, issued a decision in favor of Inter IKEA Systems BV, owner of the trademark IKEA, against Omid, IkeaIran for registering the domain name <ikea-iran.com>. The Panel found that the domain name was confusingly similar to the trademark IKEA and that the defendant had no ...

Now that Iran, the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—plus Germany), and the European Union have agreed to a landmark comprehensive nuclear agreement, a significant impact on both the economy of Iran and global markets is expected. Not only will the energy sector be particularly affected, but it is also anticipated that the ...

It is no longer possible for owners to validate registered trademarks at the Trademark Office in Baghdad up to the TMO in Erbil. Owner can now only file a separate application in the Kurdish region for additional local protection.By way of background, there are two TMOs operating in Iraq: one in Baghdad and another in ...

The Trademark Office in Gaza announced that it will close every Tuesday, as of Tuesday, June 30, 2015. All deadlines falling during this period will be pushed back to Monday. Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us at info@sabaip.com

The Egyptian Patent Office (EGYPO) and the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) began a two-year Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program on June 1, 2015. The PPH allows an application that has been determined to be patentable in the JPOto undergo an accelerated examination in the EGYPO with a simple procedure upon the applicant’s request. The PPH ...

The Electronic Transactions Law No. 15 of 2015 entered into force in Jordan on May 15, 2015. Article 4 of the law stipulates that ministries and other governmental institutions may allow electronic transactions, including inquiries, filing and other relevant transactions, provided that the authorities concerned have the appropriate system and regulations setup in accordance with the ...

The Algerian Patent Office will begin receiving and processing international applications in electronic form on July 1, 2015.Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us at info@sabaip.com  

Current sanctions by the United States do not prohibit the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Iran and Syria. Payments to protect IPR can be made directly, or after the issuance of a General License by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department. General Licenses exclude certain types of payments ...

Jordan recently amended the Drug and Pharmacy Law No. 24 of 2015 that came into effect on May 18, 2015. The main amendments include sanctions imposed on the counterfeiting of medicine. The new law stipulates the following: A punitive sanction of both imprisonment and fine, whereas the old law imposed either imprisonment or a fine, ...

Oman recently published the implementing regulations of Royal Decree No. 49 of 2009 promulgating the Law on the Protection of Breeders’ Rights in New Varieties of Plants. Applications may now be filed with the General Directorate for Plant and Animal Research at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Filing requirements stipulate that applications must include ...

With coasts along the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, Oman occupies a regional position of great importance. The Omani peninsula of Musandam sits on a strategic location on the Strait of Hormuz that serves as the gateway of oil flow from Gulf Cooperation Council states to the world. Article 11 in the Basic Statute ...

Saba Intellectual Property was represented by a team of nine members from our regional offices at the annual meeting of the International Trademark Association in San Diego. Our team held fruitful meetings with our multinational clients and associates and shared with them our newly launched corporate identity.

Pursuant to Ministerial Resolution no. 9 of 2015, the official fees for trademark matters have doubled almost across the board in comparison with their current level. The increase will also affect patent filings and title updates but annuity maintenance fees will not be subject to any change. The new rates will be effective as of ...

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks declared that the e-filing of design applications and applications for the registration of geographical indications is now possible. This announcement follows India’s recent move to go paperless and provide ubiquitous electronic access to pending trademark and patent applications. Should you have any questions, or ...

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks announced the development of the Indian Patent Advanced Search System. The new search tool allows a full-text search to be conducted for Indian patents and patent applications. According to a statement by the office, INPASS supports wild-cards, truncation, and Boolean operators in all the ...

India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people in the world. The country shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, and Bangladesh. India’s GDP, the fourth in the world, is estimated to be $4.99 trillion, whereas GDP per capita is $4,000. Services account for 56.9 ...

Paris Convention: Claiming Priority and Protecting Famous Marks All Arab countries are now members of the Paris Convention, with Kuwait being the latest addition. Priority claim requests in Kuwait will become admissible starting 2015. Also, with the Paris Convention membership, all Arab countries are expected to respect Article 6bis which applies to non-similar goods or ...

In order to avoid delays resulting from interruptions in the mail and courier services, applicants are able to file scanned copies of supporting documents while submitting the legalized copies as soon as available. Also, given that some Yemeni Consulates are refraining from legalization at this stage, notarized documents can be filed pending further submission of ...

Lebanon declared a revision of the power of attorney authentication requirement on March 21, 2015. The memo, issued by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, stated that all POA submissions after April 10, 2015 must be legalized by the Lebanese consulate. This update will not affect applications filed prior to the aforementioned date. Should you ...

The United Arab Emirates began the implementation of a special project to clear the backlog of pending opposition cases. Through this project, the trademark office aims to hold hearings for all pending opposition cases. Furthermore, the TMO will be issuing decisions for all pending opposition cases immediately after holding the hearing sessions. Should you have ...

The Intellectual Property Office in Qatar announced that filing fees, substantive examination fees, and accumulated annuities related to patent applications filed before January 12, 2015, must be paid by July 31, 2015, as reported in the March issue of the Saba IP Bulletin. As for new patent applications, in addition to the filling fees, the IPO ...

Morocco concluded an agreement with the European Union concerning the protection of food and agricultural products produced in specific geographical locations. The geographical indications agreement has yet to be passed to the legislative authorities in Morocco and the European Council and Parliament, where it must be approved before it enters into force. Should you have ...

Morocco became the first country not signed up to the European Patent Organization to validate European Patents beginning March 1, 2015. European applications and patents administered by Morocco will have the same legal rights there as national patents, and will be subject to Moroccan patent law post grant. Application filed before the aforementioned date will ...

The Saudi Patent Office accepted the first PCT national stage entry on February 3, 2015. We are pleased to announce that Al Hadaf Marks Services, in cooperation with Saba & Co. IP, utilized the system as soon as it became available, thus ensuring that the 30 month deadline is met. Saudi Arabia acceded to the ...

Morocco issued Law No. 23-13 on December 18, 2014, which amends and completes Law No. 17-97 of 2000. The new law entered to force on the date of announcement and publication in the official gazette. The law includes provisions on the protection of patents, integrated circuits, industrial designs, trademarks, and trade names. The main features ...

Morocco issued Industrial Property Law No. 23-13 on December 18, 2014, which amends and completes Law No. 17-97 of 2000. The new law entered into force on the date of publication in the official gazette. The law includes provisions on the protection of patents, integrated circuits, industrial designs, trademarks, and trade names. We will be ...

The Algerian Trademark Office revised the official fees for filing trademark applications in colors and for responding to office actions. The new rates are effective as of January 1, 2015 and will be applicable on new, as well as, pending applications. Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us at ...

The Jordanian Trademark Office recently acknowledged the fame status of ALWADI AL-AKHDAR, after a local manufacturer applied for the registration of GREEN VALLEY as a trademark in class 29. Upon publication of the mark in the official gazette, Al Wadi Al Akhdar SAL opposed on the basis that the word mark represents an English translation ...

Bahrain issued Law no. 60 of 2014 in an effort to combat cybercrime and set punishments for offences committed on the Internet. The law describes the penalties on violations all cybercrimes committed, such as gaining unauthorized access to a computer system or network, eavesdropping over private transmissions, or presenting forged data as true. This move ...

Bahrain issued the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law No. 62 of 2014 in an effort to protect consumers and regulate the market. The law defines commercial fraud as the use and sale of a fraudulent commodity which has been altered or manipulated in order to cause deception. The law specifies penalties that will result in imprisonment up ...

The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) became the 93rd member to join the Madrid Protocol. OAPI, short for Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, is composed of 17 member states which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Guinea Bissau, ...

The Jordanian Trademark Office recently acknowledged the fame status of ALWADI AL-AKHDAR, after a local manufacturer applied for the registration of GREEN VALLEY as a trademark in class 29. Upon publication of the mark in the official gazette, Al Wadi Al Akhdar SAL opposed on the basis that the word mark represents an English translation ...

The Saudi Patent Office will begin acting as a Patent Cooperation Treaty Receiving Office as of January 1, 2015. International applications may be filed at the SPO using WIPO’s ePCT system. Upon filing, applicants may choose the Egyptian Patent Office, among others, as the competent International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority. The SPO ...

The Kuwaiti Trademark Office announced that it will be accepting new trademark applications with priority claims. Required documents will now include a certified copy of the priority document duly legalized up to the Kuwaiti consulate. This document may be submitted within 3 months from filing date. A more detailed account on the trademark filing requirements ...

Our annual Playback series sums up the most the important intellectual property developments and news that unfolded over the past year in the Middle East and North Africa. Listed below are the IP highlights of 2014: Bahrain New Requirements for Patent Applications: Effective as of May 1, 2014 but are retroactive to pending applications. The Patent ...

The Jordanian Trademark Office, in an unprecedented move, ruled for the protection of BASMATI, a famous geographical indicator for rice originating from the Indian subcontinent. Various rice plants are grown in India and Pakistan under the Basmati name. PUSA BASMATI 1121, a well-known variety grown in India, is popularly referred to as “1121.” A Jordanian ...

More than two thousand smartphone packing cases bearing the marks of famous brands were recently seized in Saudi Arabia. According to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the perpetrators intended to repackage counterfeit and stolen smartphones in the authentic cases in order to confuse consumers. In a separate raid, Saudi authorities appropriated ...

In order to ensure proper workflow, the Bahraini Trademark Office recently requested applicants to provide missing documents or their applications will be declared abandoned. Effective February 1, 2015, the TMO will update their trademark application form to make it possible to file applications with the documents within 3 months from the filing date. In related ...

The United States recently transferred Kuwait from the Special 301 Report Watch List to the Priority Watch List for potential breaches of intellectual property rights. Kuwait’s accession to the Paris and Berne Conventions, as reported by Saba IP Bulletin in September, shows the country’s commitment to improve the protection of IPRs. This will certainly translate ...

Dubai recently launched a quarterly index to monitor the protection of intellectual property rights. The index will also identify areas for improvement in the regulatory policies, processes, and strategies in the domain of IPR protection by gathering opinions and expectations of brand owners, law firms, distributors and trading agencies. The level of IP protection measurements ...

The Sultanate of Oman declared on November 2, 2014 that the substantive examination fees for patent applications submitted between 2003 and 2007 will be due within two months from the date of announcement. This move follows the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Omani and the Egyptian Patent Offices, where the Egyptian ...