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.

PAYMENT OF ANNUITIES
Last month, the Department announced that applicants can choose not to pay the annuity fees after the third year (from the date of filing or from the international filing date if the application is a PCT-national phase application) if the patent application is still pending. Once the Patent Office issues a grant decision, the applicant must pay all overdue annuities along with the grant fees, while the remaining subsequent annuities can be paid on their respective due dates.

The new announcement confirms that the Department will not accept further annuity payments after the third year if the application is still under consideration.

PATENT FEES
The Department has announced the implementation of Ministerial Decision No. 60 for 2024, which reduces the official fees for certain services provided by the Ministry. The reduction affects services related to businesses and intellectual property rights, including patents and industrial designs.

The new rates went into force on 11 July 2024.

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

The Decree was published in the Official Gazette number 31(B) on 6 August 2022, where EAIP should be structured and start its operations within a year from the publication date, i.e., 6 August 2023.

EAIP will replace the General Administration of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Models of the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade in relation to all IP matters and will fulfil its duties. It will handle all IP-related transactions and become the point of contact for applicants and agents regarding new filings, renewals, recordals, and so on.

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

The new rates went into effect on 22 February 2023.

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

As for pending patent applications and issued patents, EGPO has granted IP agents a time allowance until 28 February 2022 to add such applications into the new electronic system.

Accordingly, any patents with the 20th annuity due this year must be inserted into the new online portal.

Other application procedures and fees remain unchanged.

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

• Annuities/renewals
• Publications
• Recordals of assignments, mergers, license agreements, etc.
• Amendments
• Patent restoration
• Change of representative

We have been informed, however, that the Ministry is planning to withdraw this decision and reinstate the prior official fees. We shall keep you apprised if/when that occurs.

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

The PCT will also provide reduced fees of 90% offered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to Jordan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs will deposit the accession documents with the Secretary General of WIPO, and the treaty to be signed in Geneva by the authorised permanent representative of the Kingdom.

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

Accordingly, there will be an exchange of practices between both patent offices, and the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO) will host researchers from the Oman Patent Office (OPTO) for training in substantive examination of patent applications in Oman. The EGPO will also send examiners to the OPTO for training purposes. Additionally, all pending patent applications in Oman will be examined by the EGPO.

Needless to say, the EGPO is an accepted examiner at WIPO and PCT offices.

For more information or assistance you may contact our Egypt office at egypt@qumsieh.com.

Accordingly, it will be possible to file PCT National Phase applications in Saudi Arabia as of 3 August 2013. We note that the SAPO will not accept any National Phase filings from any PCT applications filed before 3 May 2013, the date that Saudi Arabia joined the PCT. Any such filings will not be considered valid.

Once the Treaty enters into force, Saudi Arabia will then be bound by the agreement terms, and the nationals or residents of Saudi Arabia will be able to file PCT Applications. National phase applications must be filed within 30 months of the PCT application date.

If you need more information, please contact us at saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com.