news archive
Scroll THROUGH FOR A LIST OF OUR ARTICLES IN THIS AREA.
2024 AIPPI World Congress
One of our trade mark attorneys, Richard Stilwell, is representing Lysaght by joining IP specialists from around the world at the 2024 AIPPI World Congress in Hangzhou, which starts this weekend. He is also taking the opportunity to visit several clients in China before and after the conference, in various locations. We look forward to receiving Richard’s report on his trip once he returns home.
Ethiopia – Accession to Paris Convention and Madrid Protocol
On 1 October 2024, Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers approved the country’s accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks. Ethiopia’s accession to these IP treaties and to trade agreements such as the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), along with the necessary modernisation of Ethiopia’s IP laws, will serve to bring Ethiopia onto the global stage for IP and help to stimulate trade and investment in the country.
OAPI – New patent and utility model law coming into force shortly
We have just received information from the Head of the Patent Department at OAPI that Annexes I and II (which relate to patents and utility models, respectively) of the revised Bangui Accord will be brought into force on 1 January 2025. We expect OAPI to issue some further information and guidelines as to the implementation of the new law in the near future.
Lebanon - Operational Difficulties at IPO
The Lebanese Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is currently facing significant operational difficulties due to the ongoing economic and political instability in the country. The challenging environment has led to staff shortages, as many employees are unable to attend work. In addition, technical issues with the online portal have further complicated the IPO’s ability to process applications efficiently.
Qatar – Patent annuity payments (Update)
On 15 September 2025, the Qatari Patent Office has reinstated the requirement to pay annuities on pending applications. As a result, applicants are required to ensure that all outstanding annuity fees are paid on each anniversary of the effective filing date of their patent applications (which, for PCT national phase applications, is deemed to be the international filing date), from the 2nd annuity onwards, regardless of whether a grant decision has been issued.
Uruguay formally acceding to the PCT
Uruguay will deposit its instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty on 7 October 2024, and the agreement will enter into force 3 months later, on 7 January 2025. This accession to the PCT represents a culmination of the country’s efforts to support locally generated inventions, foster investment, create new business opportunities, and elevate Uruguay’s position in the international patent arena.
Annual Maintenance Fees due January 2025
We remind all applicants and owners of Cayman Islands patent, trade mark and design registrations, and all owners of trade marks in the Turks & Caicos Islands, that the next annual maintenance fees (AMFs) for such cases are due for payment on 1 January 2025. If these annual fees are not paid by 31 March 2025, penalty fees will accrue.
Australia – Changes to fees for IP matters
IP Australia has just announced some changes to the official fees for patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder’s rights, which will come into effect on 1 October 2024. Inter alia, the filing fees for patents and plant breeder’s rights will increase, trade mark filing fees will remain unchanged, and designs filing fees will decrease.
Argentina - Patent applicants required to confirm ongoing interest in applications
A resolution was published in Argentina on 26 August 2024 which requires that, within 60 calendar days from notification in the Patent Bulletin, applicants with pending patent applications in Argentina must make an express statement as to whether or not the priority claimed has been granted in the country of origin.
Philippines - Payment of issuance and publication fees for trade mark renewals
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has issued a memorandum which requires that the fees for the issuance and publication of a trade mark renewal must now be remitted along with the payment of the renewal fee instead of upon receipt of a Notice of Issuance. This new practice took effect on 25 July 2024 and it should serve to expedite the renewal process.
El Salvador - New IP law approved
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has recently approved a new Intellectual Property Law, which will replace, update and combine into a single body the current "Law of Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs" and the 1993 "Law of Intellectual Property". It will also create the Salvadoran Institute of Intellectual Property (IPSI) which will be in charge of managing procedures and mediating conflicts arising from IP rights.
Libya – Trade Mark Office to resume accepting applications
The Libyan Trade Mark Office has announced that it will resume accepting new trade mark applications, as of 2nd September 2024.
In addition, some new requirements for trade mark applications were introduced in Libya with effect from 1 May 2024.
Rwanda - New IP law in force
A new Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property was published in Rwanda on 31 July 2024 and came into force on the same day. The Law paves the way for a more streamlined approach for the filing of patent and trade mark applications, as well as clarifying aspects of their prosecution and registrability.
Lysaght gains another two green belts
For the second consecutive year, Lysaght has participated in the Business Improvement Programme led by Brian Butler and Jersey Business. This initiative aims to enhance company efficiency, productivity, and market competitiveness for future growth. Delegates Wilfried Schreder and Tatiana Despres achieved Green Belt Certification from the International Lean Six Sigma Institute.
Myanmar – New patent law finally in force
It has recently been announced that Myanmar’s long-awaited Patent Law 2019 finally came into effect on 31 May 2024. Whilst the Patent Registry has yet to announce an official date for accepting patent applications, or the documentary and formality requirements that will apply, applicants who are interested in seeking patent protection in Myanmar should consider evaluating their inventions and be ready to submit their applications as soon as the Patent Registry begins to accept them.
Lysaght celebrates promotion at Ekeme Lysaght SARL
It is with great pride that we announce the promotion of Isabelle Mbomè from Ekémé Lysaght SARL to the prestigious role of Avocate Stagiaire of the Cameroon Bar Association. Once Isabelle has completed her apprenticeship, she will have the unique rights of audience to represent our clients in Court. This fantastic and well-deserved accolade will further bolster the range of OAPI services which Lysaght can offer to our clients, particularly in the in-house management of contentious matters.
Qatar - Legalisation requirements for Powers of Attorney
An official circular was issued by the Qatari Intellectual Property Department on 25 June 2024, outlining changes to the requirements for Powers of Attorney (POA) for IP matters
Qatar – Patent annuity payments
The Qatari authorities have recently updated their policy on the requirement to pay annuities in respect of patent applications. The newly issued policy dictates that the 4th and subsequent patent annuities cannot be paid until the grant decision is issued, with no option to do so before that time. Accumulated back annuities are payable along with the grant fee, and then subsequent annuities are payable annually on each anniversary of the filing date.
Bahrain & China launch Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) of Bahrain and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) have launched a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program, with effect from 1 May 2024 and for a trial period of 5 years. As with other PPH agreements, applicants who receive a positive ruling on patent claims from either the MOIC or CNIPA to expedite the examination of corresponding claims in the other office.
ARIPO & China launch Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program
ARIPO and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) have recently implemented a bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program which is being trialled for 5 years from 08 June 2024. The Program allows an application whose claims have already been determined to be patentable by CNIPA to undergo an accelerated examination at ARIPO upon request by an applicant, and vice versa.