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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.
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.
INTA 2023 in Singapore: a trip to the Lion City
Tim Noel and Richard Stilwell represented Lysaght at INTA 2023 in Singapore. This gave the pair the opportunity to meet current and new clients and agents within the impressive surroundings of the city. It was a welcome return to face-to-face meetings as well as networking events throughout the busy week.
Meet us in London at FICPI 2023
Richard Stilwell will be representing Lysaght at FICPI’s 21st Open Forum, being held in London this October. This conference is a great opportunity to take part in high-quality working sessions, as well as meet up with like-minded individuals in private practice, across all forms of IP.
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.
CHILE – Amendments to Industrial Property Act and Accession to Madrid Protocol
A new IP law, No. 21.355, entered into force on 9th May 2022, in which various articles of the current IP Law No. 19.039 dated 1991 and its subsequent iterations were amended. This blog details the most significant changes introduced for trademarks, patents and industrial designs.
Kenya - Deadline set for recording IP rights with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Authority
Following the recent commencement of a recordation process for IP rights with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Authority (ACA), a deadline of 01 July 2022 has now been set for rights holders to have completed this process. Please review our article for further information.
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.
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.
Fiji – Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Bills become Acts of Parliament
Fiji has passed into law the Trade Marks Act 2021, the Patents Act 2021, and the Designs Act 2021. Please review our article for further information.