Previously, Iraq followed a national classification system, where each class was further divided into sub-classes. This system included Classes 1 to 42, while Classes 43, 44, and 45 were omitted. Given Iraq’s multi-class filing system, official fees were historically calculated based on the number of classes within an application.

IMPACT ON PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED OR RENEWED TRADEMARKS
Trademark renewals for registrations filed under the old classification must be accompanied by a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the renewal can take place.

IMPACT ON PENDING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM
It is mandatory to file a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the TMO will continue the registration process.

RECORDALS OF ASSIGNMENT, CHANGE, LICENSE, AND MERGER ON PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED TRADEMARKS
It is mandatory to file a request to convert the classes and list of goods/services to align with the new classification system, and then the TMO will process the recordal application.

NEW TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS
The Department has approved a predefined list of goods/services and services under the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification. Official fees will now be calculated based on the number of items listed in the application rather than by class.

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

Previously, a trademark application could consist of a maximum number of 10 items in the list of goods and services. The new decree allows more items for an additional charge of 5% of the official publication fee for each additional item.

This decree went into effect in January 2025.

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

Applicants may now request a one-month extension for specific deadlines, subject to a fee of $14. This applies to the following transactions:

• Late submission of required documents;
• Replying to an Examiner’s office action refusal decision;
• Submitting an opposition against a published trademark application;
• Filing a response to an opposition;
• Filing a response to a cancellation action;
• Submitting evidence in an opposition case, and
• Submitting evidence in a cancellation action case.

The same fee and rules also apply to requests for suspending trademark application procedures due to opposition initiated by third parties.

Applicants may submit additional extension requests as long as they are filed before the extended deadline.

For further information, please contact palestine@qumsieh.com.

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

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

These services are the publication of the Official Gazette, oppositions, recordals of assignment, and recordals of change of name and address.

This shift took place in early October 2024.

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

Effective 10 October 2024, users can select items from the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification through the online filing portal.

This has also opened the possibility of selecting ten (10) items from the list of goods instead of four (4) items. Applications pending examination may be amended to include up to ten (10) items.

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

There has been no formal announcement yet; however, the implementing regulations regarding this change are expected to be issued in January 2025.

It is still unclear whether the TMO will allow multiple classes in a single application, or whether it will allow sub-classes.

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

Previously, when an Examiner issued a refusal decision against a trademark application, the applicant could either amend the mark within ten (10) days or appeal the decision within sixty (60) days. The new practice only allows applicants to choose the second option, which is appealing the refusal decision within the 60-day window.

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

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.

The trademark protection period is now ten (10) years instead of 15. This will only affect trademarks registered or renewed after the effective date.

The official fees have increased as a result of this law for all intellectual property transactions.

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