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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.
2024 AIPPI World Congress
Richard Stilwell recently represented Lysaght at AIPPI’s World Congress event in Hangzhou, marking the first time an international IP conference has been held in China.
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.
Appointments to INTA Committees for 2024-25
Attorneys Tim Noel and Richard Stilwell have been appointed to serve on INTA’s Trade Mark Office Practices Committee for the 2024-25 term.
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.
INTA 2023 in Singapore: a trip to the Lion City
Tim Noel and Richard Stilwell represented Lysaght at INTA 2023 in Singapore. This gave the pair the opportunity to meet current and new clients and agents within the impressive surroundings of the city. It was a welcome return to face-to-face meetings as well as networking events throughout the busy week.
Meet us in London at FICPI 2023
Richard Stilwell will be representing Lysaght at FICPI’s 21st Open Forum, being held in London this October. This conference is a great opportunity to take part in high-quality working sessions, as well as meet up with like-minded individuals in private practice, across all forms of IP.
Kenya – Anti-Counterfeiting Recordals, six months in
We are six months on from the deadline for lodging Anti-Counterfeiting Recordals (“ACAs”) with the Kenyan IPO. Our articles takes a deep dive into what progress has been made, and what challenges have arisen in this process.
South Sudan – reservation of trade marks now possible
The Ministry responsible for IP in South Sudan has just announced that it is now allowing the reservation of trade marks in advance of the long-awaited enactment of the new law. Read our full article for further details.
INTA Annual Meeting – Singapore, May 2023
The 2023 INTA Annual Meeting is taking place in Singapore from 16-20 May, and Lysaght will be represented by Tim Noel and Richard Stilwell. They are very much looking forward to meeting up “in-person” with many of our clients and associates, and if you would like to arrange a meeting with either of them, please e-mail them on admin@lysaght.co.uk.
Kenya - Deadline set for recording IP rights with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Authority
Following the recent commencement of a recordation process for IP rights with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Authority (ACA), a deadline of 01 July 2022 has now been set for rights holders to have completed this process. Please review our article for further information.