When the trademark in question can be transliterated in different phonetic renditions, a vast scope of inconsistencies may come as a result of this. Careful thought and consideration must therefore be taken from the outset to select the most accurate and appropriate transliteration and to ensure that this version is consistently used. ...
When it comes to the treatment of trademarks in a multi-lingual context, trademark laws of Arab countries are traditionally designed to avoid conflicts between marks across different languages, and to provide specifically for the protection of the transliteration of marks. Accordingly, the registration of a trademark in its Latin (original) script in any Arab country ...
There is some element of harmonization with common standards available across the different Arab countries, though each country has the primary responsibility for the regulation of the trademark matters within its jurisdiction and consequently each has its own trademark laws with slight differences in the procedural aspects. The standard definition of a trademark is ...
Marking is not compulsory in the Middle East and North Africa. However, using any of those symbols on a trademark is advisable because it will give notice to the public about the owners’ rights. In principal, the ™ symbol may be used when trademark rights are claimed in relation to a mark that has not ...
It is necessary to file applications in the MENA in respect of certain goods or services. All jurisdictions have adopted the Nice Classification with some having their own requirements as to what type of specification of goods or services will be permitted. For example, in Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab ...
It is possible to register a trademark in the MENA without actually using it. So it will not be necessary to provide detailed information in trademark applications regarding the existing use of the trademark. However, trademark rights should be maintained through actual use. Trademark registrations in most jurisdictions may be vulnerable to cancellation in the ...
Most countries in this region are in general first-to-file countries. Therefore, trademark owners with plans to eventually expand into the MENA should consider filing trademark applications before someone exploits the brand’s fame that has been established in the home country and files the same trademark abroad.
No. For the time being, and in the absence of specialized courts and judges, legal matters such as patent infringement cases are handled in courts of first instances or civil courts depending on the country. An expert or a panel of experts is appointed by the court to provide both a legal and technical ...
Depending on the country, applications will be examined in either language. For example, patent applications in Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are always examined based on the Arabic translation of the specifications. The search reports and opinions are also issued in Arabic and the responses has to also be submitted in Arabic. The ...
One application filed with the GCC Patent Office automatically designates all 6 GCC member countries, and no further validation is required upon grant. The resulting patent is automatically enforceable in all 6 countries. Annuity payments are due annually during the first quarter of each year and are paid centrally to the GCC Patent Office, ...
While there is not a regional patent office covering the whole region, there is a regional patent office which extends protection to the GCC member countries. The GCC Patent Office is located in Saudi Arabia, and operates independently from the Saudi Arabian Patent Office. The GCC Patent Office is not a signatory of the Paris ...