Yemen - IP Registry in Sana’a relaxes its policy towards foreign trade mark applicants

news article

29 Nov

We reported in April 2024 that the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) based in the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a had announced a ban on products and cancellation of IP rights for companies based in the US and UK, due to the support given by these countries to Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict. We now understand that, in fact, Sweden was also included in this list of sanctioned countries.

On 11 November 2024, the Ministry of Economy and Industry and Investment Trade in Sana'a issued Ministerial Decision No. 56 of 2024 which relaxes some of the restrictions imposed on Swedish and American companies, agencies, and branches. Currently, this Decision only permits the renewal of trade mark registrations owned by entities in the US and Sweden. However, it is widely anticipated that US and Swedish companies will shortly be granted access to the full range of filing and recordal services provided by the Ministry of Economy and Industry and Investment Trade in Sana'a, provided that their activities do not compromise the rights of Yemeni merchants. In addition, whilst it is not clear whether the restrictions have also been removed for UK-based right holders, we believe that the removal of the ban also applies here.

In light of these developments, trade mark registrations for US, Swedish and (we presume) UK-based proprietors which have lapsed during the prior sanction periods must now be promptly renewed so as to regularise any cases of interest.

Further updates will be posted once any further sanctions are lifted. In the meantime, we would be pleased to assist you with your IP in this or any other jurisdiction of interest.

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Author: Richard Stilwell

Richard is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and manager in the Patents and Design department. He is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the department, as well as being part of operational working groups to develop and enhance internal policies and procedures.

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Richard Stilwell

Richard graduated from the University of Leeds in 2012 with a Master’s degree (with Distinction) in Medicinal Chemistry, which included a placement year with a major U.K. pharmaceutical company. He joined Lysaght in 2015 and has worked in the IP industry for over ten years.

In 2016 Richard was awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property (with Distinction) from Bournemouth University, and he became a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney in 2018.

He adds a considerable skill set to the company, where he is responsible for a wide-ranging portfolio, particularly for patent cases in the Caribbean and Middle East. In his dual role, Richard also handles prosecution and contentious matters within the trade mark department in several complex jurisdictions.