news archive
Scroll THROUGH FOR A LIST OF OUR ARTICLES IN THIS AREA.
Qatar - Madrid Protocol
Qatar becomes the 131st member of the Madrid Protocol, enabling international trade marks to designate this Gulf state from 3rd August 2024.
In The Spotlight: Rita Henderson
Many of you will recognise Rita’s name as our long-standing and greatly experienced Trade Mark Renewals Manager, and some of you may even have met her in person or in a virtual call in years gone by. Rita joined Lysaght way back in 1980 and is one of our longest serving team members.
She has built up several decades of knowledge and practical understanding in her role and, to help you get to know her better, we put some questions to Rita to find out more about what makes her tick …
United Kingdom – Tightening the rules on rights of representation at the UKIPO
All new UK applications for patents, trade marks or designs must appoint an address for service in the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands. Since 01 January 2024, all comparable trade marks and re-registered designs derived from EU rights post-Brexit must have a UK address for service to respond to challenges filed by third parties.
Yemen – IP Registry in Sana’a cancels registrations held by U.S. and British owners
The Intellectual Property Office based in Sana’a, Yemen has announced that trade mark rights owned by US and British companies are now invalid, and that they will no longer accept new applications. Furthermore, ongoing civil unrest has led to a de facto two-state country. To obtain trade mark, design and patent protection across the whole country, it is necessary to file applications in both Sana’a and Adan Registries.
Uganda – New Trade Mark Regulations
Some new trade mark regulations came into force in Uganda on 2 February 2024 which, inter alia, have introduced the requirement that trade marks and notices be published in the Uganda Gazette, as was the case pre-2021.
EU trade marks no longer cover Jersey
The Government of Jersey has clarified its position on whether EU trade marks automatically extend to Jersey under current legislation, confirming that no such coverage has existed since April 2009. Trade mark owners wishing to obtain protection in Jersey should re-register UK national trade marks, or rely on the automatic coverage granted to IR(UK) designations.
New Trade Mark Regulations In Lebanon
We summarise here some recent amendments to the Trade Mark Regulations in Lebanon, which have brought about changes to the term of protection and some of the official fees associated with trade marks.
Change is on its way for trade marks in Bermuda
The Trade Marks Act 2023 and Trade Marks and Service Marks Regulations Amendment and Validation Act 2023 received formal approval in Bermuda on 13 October 2023.
Retirement of Martin Chinnery
Our Senior Trade Mark attorney, Martin Chinnery, will shortly be retiring. Whilst this is sad news for all of us here at Lysaght, it marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Martin.
CITMA Spring Conference and INTA 2024 attendance
Find out more about the conferences we are attending this year.
Resumption of Operations at the Sudanese Trademarks Office
We are pleased to announce the Trademarks Office in Sudan has resumed operations after a 10-month hiatus. Read here for more information.
Georgia – Validation of European patents
Georgia has recently joined Morocco, the Republic of Moldova, Tunisia, and Cambodia as a “validation state” of the European Patent Office. Validating a European patent in Georgia provides patentees with a potentially attractive prospect due to the country’s strategic geographical location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Libya – Implementing Regulations for 2010 Trade Marks Act
At long last, the implementing regulations for the 2010 Trade Mark Act have been brought into force in Libya. These provide some much needed clarity to the practical considerations of trade mark applications, as well as bringing an increase in the official fees
Jersey – Consultation launched to review Trade Mark Law
Jersey is proposing a shift from a secondary trade mark framework dependent on the UK, by implementing an independent registration system and accession to the Madrid Protocol. A recent consultation invited stakeholders for comment on the proposed changes, to which we duly obliged. Read more in our article.
UAE - New Fees for Patents, Designs, Utility Models & Integrated Circuits
On 15 January 2024, some new official fees will come into force in the UAE. Inter alia, the official fees for patent annuities (which were abolished some time ago) will be reinstated, and various new fees for the examination of patent applications will be introduced.
Appointments to INTA Committees for 2024-25
Attorneys Tim Noel and Richard Stilwell have been appointed to serve on INTA’s Trade Mark Office Practices Committee for the 2024-25 term.
United Kingdom - Address for Service for Comparable Rights
From 1 January 2024, it will be necessary to record an address for service in the UK, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar against comparable rights when they are subject to challenge by third parties.
Saudi Arabia - Amendments to Patent & Industrial Designs Law
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Council of Ministers has approved an amended Patent and Industrial Design Law, which entered into force on 03 October 2023. Our article addresses a number of the key points of this new law, for your convenience.
Joining the world stage for patents – Jamaica and the PCT
Following the approval of Jamaica’s Patents & Designs Act 2020, and becoming the 154th PCT member state, we take a look at the state of PCT national phase prosecution in Jamaica three years on.
Fiji – Paris Convention accession and practice update
Ahead of the commencement date of Fiji’s new IP laws, the IPO has recently enacted a change in practice regarding the filing of second applications, and acceded to the Paris Convention - our article has full details.