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.   Under the new system, applicants can file standard patent applications directly in Hong Kong, and these need no longer be based on granted...

The new trade mark law passed by the Myanmar Parliament earlier this year is expected to come into force in mid-2020. Whilst the exact commencement date has yet to be confirmed, it is assumed that this will be in the first week of July 2020.   There is expected to be a “soft opening” of the Intellectual Property Office in January 2020, 6 months before the new law enters into force. During this transitional period, the IPO will accept applications for trade marks which have been recorded...

Certain of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) member states have recently adopted a Protocol on the Protection of Industrial Designs to the Eurasian Patent Convention. This Protocol will introduce a regional system of protection for industrial design patents that will run in parallel with the corresponding provisions already in place for the protection of inventions.   According to the Protocol, Eurasian design patent applications will be filed with the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO)...