PCT – NJQ & Associates

SAUDI ARABIA: SAIP BECAME AN INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AND PRELIMINARY EXAMINING AUTHORITY

NJQ & Associates — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:55:36 +0000

RIYADH – The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has officially commenced its duties as an International Searching and Preliminary Examination Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

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.

IRAQ: A NEW PCT MEMBER STATE

NJQ & Associates — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 06:33:48 +0000

BAGHDAD – The Government of Iraq acceded to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) after submitting its instrument of accession with WIPO’s Director General on 31 January 2022.

The treaty will enter into force on 30 April 2022, making Iraq the 155th member of the PCT union.

Therefore, any PCT applications filed on or after the effective date will include the designation of Iraq. Likewise, it will be possible to file international patent applications through the Iraqi Patent Office.

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

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.

SAUDI ARABIA: CALL TO PAY PATENT ANNUITY FEES

NJQ & Associates — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 15:39:38 +0000

RIYADH – Pursuant to Saudi Arabian Patent Law, annuities have to be paid for issued patents and pending applications between 1 January and 31 March of the year following the national phase application’s filing date. Therefore, all annuities due from PCT filing date until national phase entry must be paid along with the initial filing fees.

In case the applicant fails to do so, a grace period of three (3) months is given with a penalty equal to double the original prescribed fees.

Please send your patent annuity instructions to 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.

Jordan – Entered the Patent Cooperation Treaty on 9 June 2017

NJQ & Associates — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 15:07:13 +0000

The accession procedures of Jordan to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) with the Secretary General of WIPO have been completed and took effect on 9 June 2017, making Jordan the 152nd member.

Any PCT applications filed on or after the effective date will include the designation of Jordan; likewise, it will be possible to file international patent applications through the Jordanian Patent Office.

Should you require our updated schedule of fees in respect with PCT patents, please contact jordan@qumsieh.com.

Jordan – To Join the Patent Cooperation Treaty

NJQ & Associates — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 09:55:06 +0000

AMMAN – It has been announced that the Jordanian Council of Ministers approved the accession of Jordan to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which will provide procedural facilitation.

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.

Kuwait – Joined Paris Convention

NJQ & Associates — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:22:21 +0000

KUWAIT CITY – On 2 September 2014 Kuwait submitted its instrument to accede to the Paris Convention Treaty. Its admission will be effective as of 2 December 2014 making it the 176th country in the Agreement.

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

Iran – PCT National Phase Applications are Possible

NJQ & Associates — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 16:47:28 +0000

Iran’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty has been implemented on 9 October 2013. On that day, Iran became the one hundred and forty-eighth (148th) member of this Agreement.

The Iranian government approved this treaty on 16 October 2007 by the Parliament, and only deposited deed of accession to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 9 July 2013 which became effective on 9 October 2013.

Accordingly, the Iranian Patent Office will accept any National Phase filings from any PCT applications filed after 9 October 2013, the date that Iran joined the PCT.

Once the Treaty entered into force, Iran became bound by the agreement terms, and its’ nationals or residents were able to file PCT Applications.

National phase applications must be filed within 30 months of the PCT application date.

If you have any questions about our practice in Iran please contact us at info@qumsieh.com.

Saudi Arabia – Enters PCT as a New Member State

NJQ & Associates — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 19:43:39 +0000

RIYADH – This is to advise that Saudi Arabia has become a member state of the PCT after the Saudi Arabia Patent Office (SAPO) deposited the instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty on 3 May 2013.

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.