With this adoption, all new trademark applications filed in Bahrain will now be examined in accordance with the updated classification structure. This move aligns Bahrain’s trademark practice with the latest international standards and enhances consistency with other jurisdictions that have already transitioned to the 12th Edition.

Our team is monitoring the implementation closely and is available to assist clients in reviewing their trademark portfolios or preparing new applications in accordance with the revised classification.

For more information, please contact bahrain@qumsieh.com.

Previously, trademark filings submitted by individuals or entities of Turkish origin were rejected outright by the TMO due to the boycott of Turkey, reflecting broader political sensitivities. This restriction posed a significant barrier for Turkish applicants seeking to secure intellectual property rights in Syria and led to the effective exclusion of Turkish brands from formal protection within the country.

Under the new policy, Turkish applicants are now permitted to refile their previously rejected trademark applications. The TMO has confirmed that these applications will be processed in the same manner as other foreign filings, subject only to the payment of the official filing fees. Once submitted, applications will be examined under its standard procedures, and acceptance will be granted unless objections arise on grounds unrelated to the applicant’s nationality, such as descriptiveness, likelihood of confusion, or non-distinctiveness.

This change is expected to facilitate greater access to the Syrian IP system for Turkish applicants and may serve as an encouraging sign of improved administrative neutrality within the country’s intellectual property framework. It also underscores the evolving role of IP offices in ensuring equal access to protection irrespective of geopolitical factors.

If you have any questions, please contact syria@qumsieh.com.

This step reflects the growing collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the United States in the area of intellectual property (IP) as it aims to improve and mainstream IP services to support business development in both countries.

Thus, the USPTO becomes the 7th ISA designated by SAIP, which includes the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO), the Russian Federal Administration of Intellectual Property (ROSPATENT), and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

For more information, please contact saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.

We look forward to connecting with industry professionals, clients, and partners to discuss how we can support and enhance your intellectual property (IP) portfolios in the Middle East. If you would like to learn more about our services, schedule a meeting with our team by emailing us at events@qumsieh.com.

Our Hospitality Suite:
Location: San Diego Convention Center (SDCC)
Room: 16B (NJQ & Associates – Hospitality Suite)
Level: Mezzanine

Previously, Iraq followed a national classification system, where each class was further divided into sub-classes. This system included Classes 1 to 42, while Classes 43, 44, and 45 were omitted. Given Iraq’s multi-class filing system, official fees were historically calculated based on the number of classes within an application.

IMPACT ON PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED OR RENEWED TRADEMARKS
Trademark renewals for registrations filed under the old classification must be accompanied by a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the renewal can take place.

IMPACT ON PENDING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM
It is mandatory to file a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the TMO will continue the registration process.

RECORDALS OF ASSIGNMENT, CHANGE, LICENSE, AND MERGER ON PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED TRADEMARKS
It is mandatory to file a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the TMO will process the recordal application.

NEW TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS
The Department has approved a predefined list of goods/services and services under the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification. Official fees will now be calculated based on the number of items listed in the application rather than by class.

For more information, please contact iraq@qumsieh.com.

Previously, a trademark application could consist of a maximum number of 10 items in the list of goods and services. The new decree allows more items for an additional charge of 5% of the official publication fee for each additional item.

This decree went into effect in January 2025.

For more information, please contact yemen@qumsieh.com.

Applicants may now request a one-month extension for specific deadlines, subject to a fee of $14. This applies to the following transactions:

• Late submission of required documents;
• Replying to an Examiner’s office action refusal decision;
• Submitting an opposition against a published trademark application;
• Filing a response to an opposition;
• Filing a response to a cancellation action;
• Submitting evidence in an opposition case, and
• Submitting evidence in a cancellation action case.

The same fee and rules also apply to requests for suspending trademark application procedures due to opposition initiated by third parties.

Applicants may submit additional extension requests as long as they are filed before the extended deadline.

For further information, please contact palestine@qumsieh.com.

The Treaty seeks to simplify formal procedures for protecting designs by establishing minimum unified requirements for registering design applications. It provides a legal framework to streamline and standardise the process and requirements for design applications examined by intellectual property authorities in WIPO member states.

It also assists applicants in obtaining protection for their designs in accordance with the requirements related to the application details, design depictions, filing dates, and publication process.

This milestone reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for supporting innovative initiatives. It reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering an encouraging environment for creativity, protecting designers’ rights, and contributing to the growth of the creative industries worldwide.

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property hosted the Diplomatic Conference on adopting the Designs Law Treaty in Riyadh from 11 to 22 November 2024. The event brought together member states of WIPO, with attendance from decision-makers and officials.

For more information, please contact saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.

This new role enables SAIP to offer its services to applicants from around the world, further enhancing international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s intellectual property system. By providing advanced services locally, SAIP also simplifies procedures for Saudi inventors and innovators, fostering innovation and supporting intellectual property rights protection.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards leadership in intellectual property. It underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting innovation and protecting inventors’ rights, which aligns with its developmental aspirations.

For more information, please contact saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.

Those products are as follows:

• Household electric storage water heaters
• Household electric room heaters
• Household electric cooling devices
• Household air conditioners
• Electric ovens
• Cigarettes

For a foreign company to obtain the Quality Certificate, it must first have a Foreign Company Branch registered in Iraq.

For more information, please contact iraq@qumsieh.com.