News Archive
Scroll through for a list of our articles in this area.
Bermuda: Further delays to the new Trade Mark Act
The enforcement date for Bermuda’s new Trade Marks Act has been delayed once again, with 1 April 2025 now being considered as the potential start date. However, this remains unconfirmed, and the existing legislation will continue to apply until the new law is officially enacted.
Libya – Revocation of certain Trade Marks; Amendment to Trade Mark Renewal Fees
Two pieces of news have recently come to light regarding trade mark matters in Libya, which have significant implications for rights holders there. We summarise these developments relating to the cancellation of certain trade marks and an increase in the official fees for renewal payments.
Bermuda: Crucial changes to the Trade Mark Act
We are pleased to report that the Bermuda Registry General has now issued an Industry Notice confirming that the new Trade Mark Act has been approved by the Bermudan Parliament.
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.
Ethiopia – Accession to Paris Convention and Madrid Protocol
Ethiopia has officially joined the Paris Convention and Madrid Protocol, aligning its IP framework with global standards. These moves, alongside WTO TRIPS compliance, aim to modernise Ethiopia’s IP landscape and stimulate trade and investment.
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.
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.
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.
El Salvador - New IP law approved
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has passed a new Intellectual Property Law, consolidating previous legislation and creating the Salvadoran Institute of Intellectual Property (IPSI) to oversee IP rights and dispute resolution.
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.
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.
Fiji – Paris Convention accession and practice update
Ahead of the commencement date of Fiji’s new IP laws, the IPO has recently enacted a change in practice regarding the filing of second applications, and acceded to the Paris Convention - our article has full details.