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.

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.

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.

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.

Please note that the Trademark Office has relocated from Khartoum to Port Sudan.

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

Reinstatement of Official Fees for All Free-of-Charge Services
The new schedule reinstates new official fees for the services which were previously provided free of charge. Examples include but are not limited to publications, annuities, recordals of assignments, amendments, restorations, and changes of agents.

Recognition of SMEs and Academic Entities
Including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and academic entities within the reduced fee scheme.

Introducing New Services
It is now possible to request changes to the entity size of the applicant, add more claims to the application, request the restoration of a lapsed application, request expedited examination, and request a re-examination of minimal errors.

Moreover, the official fees will be calculated based on the number of claims.

Said decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will become effective after sixty (60) days from the date of the publication.

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

Please refer to the table below for the new fees:
 

These fees are effective as of 22 September 2023.

Under the new tariffs, the Ministry aims to foster innovation and make it easier for individuals to protect their ideas by benefiting from the reductions.

For more information, please get in touch with bahrain@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.

Under this Act, “online marketplaces” where “high-volume third-party sellers” (both defined by the legislation) offer new or used consumer products are required to collect, verify and disclose critical information about those sellers.

Should an online marketplace fail to do so, they face a steep fine for each violation. Online marketplaces must also suspend high volume third-party sellers not providing the required information.

The Act also requires that online marketplaces provide consumers with a clear way to report suspicious conduct, such as possible counterfeit goods listed for sale.

The goal of this Act is to create more transparency for online shoppers and to create safer online marketplaces for consumers and IP rights holders.

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