Iraq – Reconstitution of Trademark Files

Further to our Newsletter dated October 2003 and November 2003 regarding developments and changes in Iraq after the war, we would like to advise you about the current status of the Iraqi Trademark Office ITMO:

1. As all files were destroyed, the Trademark Office is ceasing all procedures, and only receiving applications until files are reconstituted. That means no examination, publication, or issuance of registration certificates will be completed.
2. The ITMO will give a grace period, to be decided shortly, for all proprietors to reconstitute their files. Anyone who fails to do so within this period will lose his registration.
3. As for the power of attorney, after the end of the war the ITMO announced immediately that the Boycott Declaration is no longer required. However, as of the beginning of November, the Trademark Office started to request the old form again.

   We kindly ask you not to execute any power until the matter is clear to avoid duplicated efforts. This will not affect the filing procedure, as it is possible to file a trademark application without documents and power of attorney, which can be filed within six months and is extendable.

4. Due to the fact that the Iraqi Consulates all over the world are not in a position to stamp any document to be sent to Iraq, it is possible that the power of attorney be legalized up to the Jordanian Consulate and sent to us. At our end, we will have this document stamped by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and send it to Iraq, where it will be authenticated by the Jordanian Consulate in Baghdad and then further to complete the normal legalization procedure in Iraq.