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Jersey - Direct, Independent Trade Mark Applications and Madrid Protocol Accession
From mid‑2026, Jersey will adopt a primary trade mark register and Madrid Protocol membership, giving businesses independent, globally aligned trade mark protection.
Jersey's New IP Landscape: International Treaty Extensions and a Modernised Framework
Jersey modernises its IP framework with major treaty extensions and new systems for trade marks, patents and designs. Learn what this means for rights holders
Tanzania: ARIPO Trade Mark Designations Confirmed Invalid - National Filings Now Required
Tanzania’s Court of Appeal confirms ARIPO trade mark designations are invalid, requiring brand owners to rely on national trade mark filings.
Grenada joins the Madrid Protocol for International Trade Mark Registration
Grenada joins the Madrid Protocol on 15 March 2026, enabling streamlined international trade mark registration and expanded global protection for businesses
Zambia: New Trade Marks Act in Force - Key Changes for Brand Owners
Zambia’s newly-promulgated 2023 Trade Marks Act modernizes IP protection, with service marks and multi‑class filings now possible, Madrid Protocol alignment, and stronger enforceability.
Maldives – Ratification of the Trademark Act
The Maldives is on the brink of transforming its trade mark landscape. With legislation due to take effect in 2026, the country will move from common-law publication to a formal registration system for the first time in its history.
Maldives prepares for a new era of trade mark protection in 2026
The Maldives is on the brink of transforming its trade mark landscape. With legislation due to take effect in 2026, the country will move from common-law publication to a formal registration system for the first time in its history.
Tanzania introduces mandatory trade mark recordal for imported goods
Tanzania has announced the implementation of a mandatory trade mark recordal system for all goods imported into mainland Tanzania. This system, set to take effect on 1 December 2025, mirrors similar initiatives in other jurisdictions, most notably its neighbour Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) recordal regime.
How to protect your brand in an age of trade wars
Amid escalating trade tensions and shifting global alliances, businesses are reassessing their trade mark strategies. With China strengthening ties in Brazil and Africa and the U.S. imposing new tariffs, it's critical to align trade mark portfolios with evolving supply chains.
CITMA Spring Conference and INTA 2025 attendance
Join Lysaght at the 2025 CITMA Spring Conference and INTA Annual Meeting. Connect with our experts to discuss global IP trends and strategies.
Trade Mark protection in Iraq and Kurdistan: Update on the Nice Classification
In Iraq and the Kurdistan region, effective trade mark registration is increasingly critical as the economy grows and foreign investment rises. An important development in this field will be the adoption of the 11th edition of the Nice Classification in both regions from January 2025.
Yemen - IP Registry in Sana’a relaxes its policy towards foreign trade mark applicants
A new ministerial decision in Yemen now allows US and Swedish trade mark owners to renew their registrations. It is unclear if this also applies to UK-based rights holders, but early indications suggest the restrictions may have been lifted.
Lebanon - Operational difficulties at IPO
The Lebanese Intellectual Property Office is struggling with severe operational disruptions due to ongoing economic and political instability, leading to staff shortages and technical issues. This is causing significant delays in the processing of IP applications.
Philippines - Payment of issuance and publication fees for trade mark renewals
As of 25 July 2024, the Philippines IP Office now requires fees for trade mark issuance and publication to be paid at the same time as the renewal fee, rather than upon receipt of a Notice of Issuance. This change is expected to expedite the renewal process.
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 - Madrid Protocol
Qatar becomes the 131st member of the Madrid Protocol, enabling international trade marks to designate this Gulf state from 3rd August 2024.
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.
EU trade marks no longer cover Jersey
The Government of Jersey has clarified its position on whether EU trade marks automatically extend to Jersey under current legislation, confirming that no such coverage has existed since April 2009. Trade mark owners wishing to obtain protection in Jersey should re-register UK national trade marks, or rely on the automatic coverage granted to IR(UK) designations.
Jersey – Consultation launched to review Trade Mark Law
Jersey is proposing a shift from a secondary trade mark framework dependent on the UK, by implementing an independent registration system and accession to the Madrid Protocol. A recent consultation invited stakeholders for comment on the proposed changes, to which we duly obliged. Read more in our article.