GCC – NJQ & Associates

GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL: UPDATE ON PATENT LAW

NJQ & Associates — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 07:33:06 +0000

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.

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

Kuwait Becomes a PCT Member State

NJQ & Associates — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 05:21:22 +0000

KUWAIT CITY – The Patent Office of Kuwait started accepting Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications and entering into the national phase on 27 March 2018.

The PCT came into force in Kuwait on 9 September 2016, after after it acceded to the treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Kuwait will automatically be designated on all PCT applications as of that date.

The applicable time limit for national phase entry is 30 months from the earliest priority, or 18 months from the international PCT-application filing date.

Since the Patent Office of Kuwait has stopped receiving any patent applications since 4 April 2016, however, it remains unclear the affect on international filings and national phase entries.

We note that Kuwait is the 149th member of the PCT and the sixth and final Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to accede to the PCT.

Further developments will be reported in due course. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at kuwait@qumsieh.com.

Saudi Arabia – Updates on Trademark Practice

NJQ & Associates — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:02:05 +0000

The new unified Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Trademark Law and its Implementing Regulations were published in the Official Gazette of Saudi Arabia on 1 July 2016 and is expected to enter into force on 27 September 2016. Accordingly, the following procedural changes will be introduced:

The definition of a trademark is extended to include colour, sound and olfactory marks;
Multi-class applications will become possible;
It will be possible to claim priority based on an earlier-filed foreign application, and
Opposition against published applications must be filed within 60 days from the date of publication where previously it was 90 days; however, a request for extension of time to file an opposition will not accepted.

It is not clear whether the official fees will increase or not, this will be determined by the beginning of the next month. Moreover, the official fees related to multi-class applications is yet to be decided.

Should you have any questions, please contact saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Patent Annuity Payments for the Year 2015

NJQ & Associates — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:53:37 +0000

Payment of patent annuities in the GCC Patent Office should be paid at the beginning of each year during the first three (3) months until 31 March of each year regardless of the filing date or priority date.

Late payment, however, is allowed for a period of 3 months (i.e. until 30 June) and will be subject to a 100% penalty fine.

The above applies to pending applications as well as granted patents.

If you have any questions, please contact us at patents@qumsieh.com.