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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.
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.
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.
Myanmar – Design and Copyright Laws
The Industrial Design Law and Copyright Law, which were both enacted in 2019, finally came into force on 31 October 2023. This development follows the coming into effect of a new Trade Mark Law earlier this year and the Grand Opening of the Intellectual Property Office on 26 April 2023.
Bangladesh - Closure of "mail box" route and rejection of mail box patent applications
Bangladesh was granted leave to delay examining applications relating to pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical products until 2033. To date, such patent applications have therefore been filed as "black box" or "mailbox" applications and then held in abeyance pending the commencement of this examination.
Montenegro accedes to EPC
Montenegro will soon become the 39th member state of the European Patent Organisation, by virtue of its accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC). Its accession will take effect on 1st October 2022, and from that date, Montengro will be a full Member State of the EPC and not merely an Extension State.
ARIPO - Accession by Cape Verde
On 14th July 2022, the Republic of Cabo Verde (commonly known as Cape Verde) deposited instruments of accession to the Lusaka Agreement, Banjul and Harare Protocols of ARIPO. Consequently, Cape Verde has become the 22nd contracting state to the ARIPO Agreement.
IRAQ - Accession to PCT
The Government of the Republic of Iraq deposited its instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on 31st January 2022.
Jamaica – Implementation of new Patents and Designs Act
The Government of Jamaica has announced that its new “Patents and Designs Act, 2020” is expected to come into force on 11 February 2022. Read our complete article for essential information about this new legislation.
ARIPO - Amendments made to Harare Protocol and Regulations
Various amendments have recently been made to the Harare Protocol on Patents and Designs and the Implementing Regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2022. Our article has all the information you need.
OAPI - New Law on Trade Marks, Designs, Utility Models and Geographical Indications
It has just been announced that the new OAPI IP Laws concerning Trade Marks, Designs, Utility Models, and Geographical Indications, will enter into force on 1 January 2022. Please review our article for further information.
Kiribati - Accession to Paris Convention
Kiribati deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property on 5 November 2021. Please review our article for further information.
Seychelles accedes to ARIPO's Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs
The Republic of Seychelles has acceded to the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs, becoming the 21st ARIPO Member State. Please read our article for further information.
UK’s membership of various international treaties extended to cover Gibraltar
With effect from 1st January 2021, the UK’s membership of various WIPO-administered treaties, including the Paris Convention, the Berne Convention and the PCT, was extended to include the territory of Gibraltar.
Mexico - New “Federal Law for Protection of Industrial Property”
A new “Federal Law for Protection of Industrial Property” came into force in Mexico on 5th November 2020. Please read our article for all the information you need.
Nauru - Patent Regulations finally promulgated
The Nauru Solicitor General has just advised that, nearly a decade after their Patents Registration Act came into force, the Nauru government has finally announced the publication of its "Patents Registration (Forms and Fees) Regulations 2020". Please review our article for further information.
Mauritius – New IP Law
A new law, The Industrial Property Act 2019, has been recently passed by the Mauritius Parliament. Please review our full article for all the information you need.
Hong Kong – New Patent System
It has been announced that Hong Kong will introduce a new system for standard patents, which will present an alternative option for applicants seeking patent protection in Hong Kong. Amendments to the Patents Ordinance and Patent Rules were published on 11th October 2019, and the new patent system will be implemented on 19th December 2019. Please review our article for additional information.
Samoa – Accession to international treaties
It has just been announced that Samoa has deposited its instruments of accession for the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement for the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the international registration of appellations of origin and geographical indications. Please review our full article for further information.