RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – In its 41st meeting on 5 January 2021, the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved the amended GCC Patent Law (Regulation). The significant change is that the GCC Patent Office (GCCPO) will cease the unified patent filing system for the GCC’s six states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) effective 4 January 2021.
Patent protection in those countries, however, can be sought via the provisions of the Paris Convention or via PCT at the national patent offices.
The GCCPO will continue to process pending applications and receiving annuity payments, but will not accept new GCC patent applications.
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