Pakistan implements new industrial designs bill

Pakistan recently announced that it will adopt the new "Industrial Design Regulations and Regulations 2023". The new rules will repeal the "1933 Design Act" and will simplify the application and litigation process for industrial designs in Pakistan.

The main features of the new bill are summarized below:

• It will be consistent with other countries in adopting the current international classification system, which also marks that Pakistan will soon adopt the current international classification published by WIPO that is globally applicable;
• New charging standards: New charging standards for design applications have been introduced. The fee for filing one design is Rs. 3,000, while the fee for filing a set of designs is Rs. 5,000.
• The time for issuing examination opinions stipulates: The patent application date is the date when the Pakistan Patent Office receives the application documents. The time for replying to the examination opinion is two months from the date of issuance of the examination opinion, which can be extended to six months.
• Restoration of rights: Rights that have expired due to non-compliance with the rules will be allowed to be reinstated.

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