While Yemen has two IPOs, one operating in Sana’a and the other in Aden, each with its own jurisdiction and procedures, both offices have recently adopted the 12th edition of the Nice Classification of Goods and Services, allowing applicants to classify their trademarks based on the most up-to-date global standards.

Additionally, starting 22 October 2024, both offices raised the number of goods/services covered in a single trademark application from 4 goods/services to 10. As the option to select 10 items instead of 4 upon filing has been made available, applications pending examination can be amended upon request to include up to 10 items instead of the claimed 4.

On 7 October 2024, the Sana’a IPO introduced an online platform where users can access a range of trademark services, including the filing and recordal of amendments, waivers, objections and responses. Deadlines for all procedures handled through the platform are now automatically calculated by the system, providing greater accuracy and reducing administrative burden. The Official Trademark Gazette will now be exclusively available digitally on this platform.

As brand owners in Yemen are aware by now, the situation in Yemen remains sensitive under the ‘blacklist’ imposed at the office in Sana’a. It is not yet clear if the above developments hint at steps away from current restrictions.