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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.
Kiribati - Accession to Paris Convention
Kiribati deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property on 5 November 2021. Please review our article for further information.
Lysaght goes green
Following COP26, there is a revived momentum and moral obligation to do more to help our planet, both individually and collectively. Here at Lysaght, it is no different, and we want to do our part. Our Jersey office went paperless earlier this year, and we are currently auditing our energy usage in the workplace.
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.
Nauru – New Trade Marks Act in Force
The Nauru Trade Marks Act came into force in November 2020. However, due to an initial lack of official forms, or a procedure for payment of official fees, it has not been possible to file trade mark applications until now.
Eurasia – Unitary design system expected to commence in June 2021
It is anticipated that the Eurasian Patent Office will start accepting design applications from 1 June 2021, following a recent announcement. Please read our article for further information.
PTMG Spring Conference 2021
One of our Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, Richard Stilwell, attended PTMG’s Spring Conference last week on behalf of Lysaght. Aptly named “PTMG@home”, this conference was hosted online due to current restrictions on gatherings and international travel.
Somalia - Trade Mark Office now accepting, examining and publishing trade mark applications
At the beginning of 2020 we reported that the Somali Ministry of Commerce and Industry had once again started accepting trade mark applications for the first time since the civil war in 1991. We understand that these applications are now to be cleared via a pre-filing search, examined on absolute grounds and published for opposition purposes prior to grant. It is no longer recommended, or necessary, to publish cautionary notices. Please review our article, for further information.
UK’s membership of various international treaties extended to cover Gibraltar
With effect from 1st January 2021, the UK’s membership of various WIPO-administered treaties, including the Paris Convention, the Berne Convention and the PCT, was extended to include the territory of Gibraltar.
Guernsey – Extension of UK’s PCT membership to cover Bailiwick of Guernsey
The UK’s membership of the PCT will be extended to include the Bailiwick of Guernsey from 23rd March 2021. Please read our article for further information.
Gibraltar – Amendments to Trade Marks Act
The Gibraltar authorities have enacted a revision of the Trade Marks Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2021. Our full article contains further information.
Guernsey – Accession to The Madrid Protocol
On 1 October 2020, the UK Government ratified the Madrid Protocol on behalf of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Please review our article for further information.
Mexico - New “Federal Law for Protection of Industrial Property”
A new “Federal Law for Protection of Industrial Property” came into force in Mexico on 5th November 2020. Please read our article for all the information you need.
Nauru - Patent Regulations finally promulgated
The Nauru Solicitor General has just advised that, nearly a decade after their Patents Registration Act came into force, the Nauru government has finally announced the publication of its "Patents Registration (Forms and Fees) Regulations 2020". Please review our article for further information.
Trinidad & Tobago – New Trade Mark Law
The Trade Marks Act 2015 entered into force in Trinidad & Tobago on 26th June 2020. Please review our article for further information.
Visit by OAPI officials to our Cameroon office
On Tuesday, 14th January 2020, the partners and staff of our office in Yaoundé, Ekeme Lysaght SARL, were pleased to receive a delegation from OAPI for a tour of the facilities and discussions with the whole team.
Mauritius – New IP Law
A new law, The Industrial Property Act 2019, has been recently passed by the Mauritius Parliament. Please review our full article for all the information you need.
Hong Kong – New Patent System
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. Please review our article for additional information.
Samoa – Accession to international treaties
It has just been announced that Samoa has deposited its instruments of accession for the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement for the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the international registration of appellations of origin and geographical indications. Please review our full article for further information.