Latest news on intellectual property rights in the Middle East

Bahrain

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain recently implemented progressive fee adjustments to promote innovation and support intellectual property rights by reducing the fees for individual applicants to apply for patents. This measure will take effect from September 21, 2023. The following fees are waived for individual applicants:

Pakistan

The Pakistani government recently passed the "New Design Regulations 2023" and it will officially come into effect in March 2023. The following are the new regulations:

• Official Fees: All official fees have increased.
• Classification: The 14th edition of the Locarno International Classification General Principles is adopted, with a total of 32 categories, canceling the previous only 12 classifications.
• Graphics: Design graphics may be provided in various forms such as drawings, photographs, three-dimensional models or any combination thereof, including any other visual design in color or black and white.
• Response time: The applicant must respond to the review opinion within 2 months from the date of issuance of the review opinion. It can be extended for up to 6 months after paying the extension fee.
• Patent certificate: The applicant needs to apply for a patent certificate and pay the corresponding fee after passing the examination.
• Authorization announcement: After the patent certificate is issued, the design will be published in the patent journal.
• Restoration of rights: For a design that has expired due to non-compliance with regulations, a request for restoration of rights can be made within 6 months, but corresponding fees must be paid.
• Electronic application: Designs can be submitted in the form of electronic applications.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Intellectual Property Office (SAIP) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) officially signed and launched the PPH process to quickly process and expedite the review process of patent applications in Saudi Arabia.

So far, the Saudi Arabian Intellectual Property Office has signed and consolidated similar agreements with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore IPOS, the European Patent Office EPO, the United States Patent and Trademark Office USPTO, the Japanese Patent Office JPO, the Korean Intellectual Property Office KIPO and the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office CNIPA. PPH protocol.