Regulations – NJQ & Associates https://njq-ip.com Treat Your IP Sun, 01 Jun 2025 10:09:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.5 BAHRAIN: ADOPTS THE 12TH EDITION OF THE NICE CLASSIFICATION https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2025/05/bahrain-adopts-the-12th-edition-of-the-nice-classification/ Thu, 29 May 2025 10:04:00 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11199 MANAMA – In a significant development for intellectual property rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce officially announced on 29 April 2025 that the Bahrain Industrial Property Office (IPO) had adopted the 12th Edition of the NICE Classification. The implementation took effect from 9 April 2024, with the announcement formally issued in late April 2025.

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.

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SYRIA: BAN LIFTED ON TURKISH TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2025/04/syria-ban-lifted-on-turkish-trademark-applications/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:55:23 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11196 DAMASCUS – In a notable shift in practice, the Trademark Office (TMO) has announced that it will now accept trademark applications filed by Turkish nationals. This development, effective as of early February 2025, marks the end of a long-standing policy under which such applications were systematically refused on the basis of applicant’s nationality.

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.

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IRAQ: NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTING CERTAIN PRODUCTS https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2024/11/iraq-new-requirements-for-importing-certain-products/ Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:48:30 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11173 BAGHDAD – The Ministerial Economic Council has issued Decree No. 5 for the year 2024 concerning foreign companies manufacturing electrical products and cigarettes that are imported into Iraq. This Decree directs that companies supplying the products identified below to the Iraqi market are not permitted to introduce their products into the country unless they have obtained the Iraqi Quality Certificate.

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.

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LIBYA: THE TRADEMARK OFFICE RETRACTED ITS DECISION RELATED TO POAS https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2024/10/libya-the-trademark-office-retracted-its-decision-related-to-poas/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:28:48 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11169 TRIPOLI – The Ministry of Commerce and Trade retracted its 14 February 2024 decision that required the submission of legalised powers of attorney (PoAs) on an annual basis.

Therefore, the requirement to submit a legalised PoA annually has been abolished.

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

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IRAQ: CHANGES IN THE PAYMENT TERMS FOR TRADEMARKS https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2024/04/iraq-changes-in-the-payment-terms-for-trademarks/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:27:12 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11133 BAGHDAD – As of 7 April 2024, the Directorate of Patents and Industrial Designs in Iraq announced that the official publication fees must be paid along with the official filing fees.

Previously, after obtaining the initial acceptance from the TMO, applicants could file the trademark application after the payment of the official filing fees. The TMO would then review the formalities of the application (i.e. submission of the PoA) and send a request to pay the official publication fees. Per the new practice, however, the official publication fees must be paid with the official filing fees.

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

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SAUDI ARABIA: UPDATE ON APOSTILLED DOCUMENTS https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2023/04/saudi-arabia-update-on-apostilled-documents/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:10:55 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11073 RIYADH – Further to the accession of Saudi Arabia into The Hague Apostille Convention in early 2022, apostilled powers of attorney (POA) can be submitted before the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). SAIP further requires that apostilled documents be legalised by the Ministry of Justice (Ministry) before submission.

To do that, IP agents need to book an appointment with the Ministry, which could take up to a month to secure. Once booked, the agent must appear in person before the Ministry. This procedure can be an obstacle in case of a priority claim, renewal deadline, or any other matter with a deadline.

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

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THE GAZA STRIP (STATE OF PALESTINE): NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING POWERS OF ATTORNEY https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2023/04/the-gaza-strip-state-of-palestine-new-regulations-regarding-powers-of-attorney/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:07:19 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11071 GAZA – The Deputy Office of the Ministry of the National Economy in the State of Palestine now requires applicants and their agents to submit a photocopy of their powers of attorney at the time they file a trademark application, along with a document attesting the position of the signatory person.

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

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IRAQ: UPDATES REGARDING POWERS OF ATTORNEY https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2023/04/iraq-updates-regarding-powers-of-attorney/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:03:18 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=11070 BAGHDAD – Despite the regulation requiring a legalised power of attorney (POA) to be filed within six (6) months of the application date, it is recommended to submit at least a notarized copy of the POA at the time of filing. This is to protect the application from being challenged on the basis that it did not comply with the regulations in the event of litigation. In other words, the notarized POA must accompany the application.

It is still possible, however, to submit a fully legalised POA within the six (6) month period.

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

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: ISSUES A NEW TRADEMARK LAW https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2022/03/united-arab-emirates-issues-a-new-trademark-law/ Sun, 20 Mar 2022 12:26:56 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=10975 Official Gazette. The Law was entered into force on 1 March 2022]]> ABU DHABI – On September 2021, the Ministry of Economy in the UAE published a new Trademark Law, Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2021 (the Law), in the Official Gazette. The Law was entered into force on 1 March 2022.

The implementing regulations have yet to be issued, but the summary below identifies the key features:


Trademark Scope
The Law expanded the scope of protection of trademarks to include 3D marks, sound marks, smell marks, colour marks, and hologram marks. In addition, it expanded the definition of trademarks to cover Geographical Indications (GI).

While GI was addressed in the previous law, the new Law regulated GI, included a definition of the term, and addressed the conflict between GI and trademarks.

The Law set up clear criteria to measure whether a trademark can fall under the well-known trademarks category. It has also introduced the possibility of filing series trademark applications.

It also opened the window for individual applicants to file trademark applications, while previously, only companies were allowed to register trademarks.

Finally, it is no longer mandatory to record trademark licenses at the Trademark Office (TMO) registry. There will be no effect for not recording the same.


Classification
The UAE now follows a multi-class filing system making it possible to file a single trademark application including multiple classes. Previously, each class had to go into a separate application.


Publication
The Law has omitted the requirement of publication in two local newspapers. Only publication in the Official Gazette remains required. This affects new trademark applications, renewals, recordals, and amendment applications.


Examination
The TMO will examine trademark applications within ninety (90) days from the date of the application rather than thirty (30) days as per the previous practice.


Trademark Grievances Committee
The Law changed the internal structure of the Trademark Grievances Committee (the Committee). It is now headed by a specialised judge nominated by the Minister of Justice and two specialised members appointed by the Ministry.

Normally, applicants/agents would have to file any objections to decisions issued by the TMO regarding applications, oppositions, and cancellations before the Committee. Now, after appealing the TMO’s decision, the Committee issues its decision, which can be appealed before the Federal Court of Appeals, opposite to the previous practice where appealing the TMO’s decision was possible before the Court of First Instance.


Trademark Enforcement
Unless a trademark was registered in bad faith, it would become irrevocable after five (5) years from the date of its registration, provided that it was not challenged during this period.

The Law provides a five-year term for a prior user of a trademark to request the cancellation of a registered trademark. It also delegates the Ministry to handle trademark cancellation actions regardless of the reason for the cancellation.

Finally, a significant increase in the penalty fines was set for trademark infringement.

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

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Bahrain – New Implemention Regulations Affecting Patents and Utility Models Official Fees https://njq-ip.com/newsletters/2019/01/bahrain-new-implemention-regulations-affecting-patents-and-utility-models-official-fees/ Sun, 27 Jan 2019 09:08:40 +0000 https://njq-ip.com/?post_type=newsletter&p=10563/ MANAMA – The Patent Office in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Bahrain issued its Implemention Regulations for Patents and Utility Models Law No. 1 of 2004 to begin substantive examination of pending and new applications. Said decision was published in the Official Gazette number 3397 on 13 December 2018.

Accordingly, the official fees for patent and utility model transactions has been reviewed and increased with an effective date of 18 December 2018.

Should you wish to receive our updated schedule of charges, please contact bahrain@qumsieh.com.

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