A new registry tool enables comprehensive applicant-name searches to improve regional patent tracking.

Virtual appeal hearings require both electronic and physical evidence submissions, while session recordings remain internal.

Applicants may now submit a foreign or ARIPO registration certificate, although additional documentation may be requested.

Applicants should review their specifications before filing to minimise delays and avoid surprise costs, particularly for multi-item classes.

Counterfeit goods and equipment were seized in Kyiv, Odesa, and Ternopil; investigations are ongoing.

The initial penalty was mitigated after the manufacturer immediately halted the infringement.

Brand owners should consult with their local agents to prevent costly renewal delays under new restrictions.

The renewal deadline for trade marks has been extended to 17 October 2026.

Following years of uncertainty, Class 33 trade mark applications are now fully available in the UAE.

Applicants filing trade marks in Kuwait should begin the POA legalisation process early to meet the 90-day deadline.

The proposed law remains at the public consultation stage and may change before being submitted to Parliament.

The Nairobi Treaty entered into force in Albania on 1 August 2026, while the Singapore Treaty will enter into force on 1 October 2026.

Rights holders can now seek industrial design protection in eight EAPO member states through a single application.

Once the treaty enters into force, Georgia will benefit from simplified cross-border industrial design protection.

Soon, authentic products like Leskovac pepper spread and Fruška Gora honey will enjoy streamlined protection across multiple member countries.

The 15-year term applies to new registrations, pending applications, and renewals, while existing registrations will adopt the new term upon renewal.

The Locarno Agreement on Industrial Designs will enter into force in Bahrain on 29 October 2026.

Saudi Arabia and all member states will benefit through simplified and harmonised administrative procedures for protecting industrial designs.

The portal will simplify industrial design registration and dispute procedures.

The renewal deadline has been extended to 11 September 2026 without late fees.

Starting 8 October, brand owners will be able to include Saudi Arabia in international trade mark filings via a single application.

Following a prolonged suspension, Gaza’s Trade Mark Office has restarted key trade mark filing, renewal, and recordal services.

Kazakhstan’s new Constitution, effective 1 July 2026, now explicitly guarantees intellectual property protection.

The new law introduces targeted procedural and substantive updates to align its national framework with EU directives.

The new Code introduces major reforms to the country's IP framework covering trade marks, patents, and industrial designs.

The new Bill introduces stricter penalties for piracy, broadens creators’s rights, and regulates digital monetisation.

New regulations aim to fully digitalise and automate patent grants, maintenance, and the issuance of duplicate IP documents.

A specialised institution for patent dispute resolution under the UPC framework was recently launched in Ljubljana.

Trade mark opposition settlements in Saudi Arabia require careful planning due to strict specification amendment rules.

While SAIP is already accepting GI applications, formal examination procedures will commence once the official fee structure is published.

Following the UAE’s accession to the Locarno Agreement on Industrial Designs, the treaty will enter into force in the UAE on 6 October 2026.

Trade Mark and Patent Offices will remain closed from 13 July 2026, and will reopen on 19 July 2026.

Effective 9 July 2026, IP documents in Algeria may be submitted with an Apostille instead of the traditional consular legalisation.

Effective 1 June 2026, Moldova officially transitioned from a validation state to the 40th member state of the European Patent Organisation.

Effective 6 May 2026, official trade mark fees increased by 40% to 150%.

The reforms to IP regulations cover official patent fees, trade mark licencing rules, and termination procedures.

If adopted, these reforms would mark the most significant modernisation of the country’s IP framework in decades.

The new law introduces strict penalties for copyright infringement alongside new provisions on royalties and digital safeguards.

The new Rules apply to both registered trade marks and unregistered designations widely recognised in Kazakhstan.

The long-awaited trade mark and patent attorney attestation process resumes after nine years.

Protection under the Geneva Act will include Bulgarian rose oil, Bulgarian yogurt, and Trojan ceramics.

Key changes in the new edition include new services and the reclassification of certain goods and services.

Clothing and footwear were among the most frequently detained counterfeits, along with fashion accessories, audio and video equipment and toys.

The platform is designed to streamline reporting procedures and strengthen custom enforcement mechanisms.

Approximately 500 trade marks have now been published and are accessible online.

All in-person services will transition to a fully digital platform, and certificates will be issued in electronic format only.

EGIPA revised official fees and added new service fees, including a trade mark administration surcharge and fees for company searches and certified reports.

Five new electronic copyright services were introduced, covering certificates, deposits, and assignments.

Although the portal services were suspended during the outage, deadlines remain unaffected and late fees have been waived.

Qatar's TMO has clarified that all trade mark classes are now fully available for registration, including Class 33 for alcoholic beverages.

Trade mark applicants may obtain fee‑free extensions for submitting legalised powers of attorney, with monthly extensions beyond the initial 90‑day deadline.

The measure came into effect on 17 March and will remain in force for three months.

The new Regulations modernise the country's trade mark framework, introducing clearer procedures while aligning with international standards.

The article suggests immediate steps to protect IP amidst supply chain disruptions and shifting trade routes caused by regional geopolitical instability.

The new copyright law, which enters into force on 12 August 2026, significantly strengthens copyright protection and enforcement.

Changes include revised official fees, a sharp rise in renewal costs for the full term, and mandatory ten‑year renewals replacing shorter options.

Trade mark renewals are now accepted for a fixed period of 10 years - the option of annual renewals is no longer available.

Amendments include official fee increases and streamlined procedures, affecting new and pending applications as well as existing registrations.

The new edition updates the classification of goods and services, reassigning certain products and services to different classes compared to previous editions.

The outdated 1958 Trade Marks Act is replaced with a modern, internationally aligned framework for trade mark protection and administration.

The system covers all crops and species and enables breeders to submit plant variety protection applications digitally.

The new legislation is expected to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and support innovation in the country’s agricultural sector.

The new law strengthens breeder’s rights while aligning with both the national legislation and international standards.

Uncertified copies can be obtained via the online portal, and certified copies may be requested electronically upon payment of the prescribed fees.

The online filing platform enables users to file patent, industrial design, and utility model applications and make payments electronically.

Under the new framework, .om, .com.om, and .co.om domains can be registered without a trade mark certificate or exact match with their company name.

As of 27 January 2026, all trade mark applications must comply with the revised list of goods and services.

While the transfer of data from Port Sudan remains the main obstacle, operations are expected to normalise in the first part of this year.

The revised tariffs affect both new filings and ongoing portfolio maintenance, including renewals and certain post-registration procedures.

Trade mark applications listing more than 10 items within a single Nice Classification class now incur additional fees.