On 13 May 2025, Uzbekistan adopted the Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts” (ZRU-1080). IPR registration-related amendments entered into force on 9 August 2025, while the IP enforcement-related measures will enter into force on 10 November 2025.

The law aims to streamline IP registration through digitalisation, eliminate the need for official fee payment confirmation at filing, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to protect IP rights, while fostering innovation. These changes align Uzbekistan’s legislation with global IP standards, enhancing the country’s appeal for investors and creators.

The new law, published via the National Database of Legislation (Lex.uz), amends the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Administrative Liability Code, Civil Code, and the Law “On Plant Variety.”

The key provisions include:

Streamlined IP registration procedures

• Flexible grant fee payment terms: Applicants can extend the three-month deadline for paying grant fees by up to six months with a 50% surcharge, easing financial planning for registering inventions, utility models, industrial designs, trade marks, plant varieties, and integrated circuit topographies (Article 10).
• Revised plant variety registration rules: Under the amended Law “On Plant Variety”, the requirement to submit a novelty declaration confirming that the plant variety has not been used, sold, or transferred, is no longer applicable, nor is the mandatory submission of testing material (Article 7). However, priority documents and powers of attorney remain required.
• Proof of payment no longer required: The requirement to submit official fee payment confirmation at filing was removed when filing for patents, utility models, industrial designs, trade marks, geographical indications, appellations of origin, and plant varieties/breeders’ rights. Applications are now filed electronically via the Uzbekistan’s Patent and Trademark Office’s (PTO) digital platform, and are accepted after the automatically generated e-invoice is paid (Articles 2, 7, 9, 11).
• Expedited compliance reviews: Software and database registration applications are reviewed for compliance with formal requirements within 10 business days by the Intellectual Property Center operating under the Ministry of Justice (Article 1).
• Digital certification: Patents and certificates for IP rights are issued electronically with unified QR codes for verification, supporting Uzbekistan’s digitalisation efforts (Articles 1, 2, 7, 9, 11).
• Automatic registry entry: Upon approval and fee payment, IP rights are automatically recorded in the relevant state register (e.g. State Register of Inventions, Trade Marks, or Plant Varieties), (Articles 2, 7, 9, 11).

Enhanced enforcement mechanisms

• More authority to judicial bodies: The Ministry of Justice is authorised to seize infringing goods, tools, and related documents during IP inspections, strengthening enforcement capabilities (Article 5).
• Integration into criminal procedures: IP-related offenses are explicitly included in the Criminal Procedure Code, granting judicial authorities jurisdiction over enforcement actions (Article 4).

Stricter administrative penalties

Unauthorised use or misuse of trade marks, service marks, geographical indications, appellations of origin, and firm names incurs:

• Fines of approx. 160–480 USD for individuals, and approx. 480–950 USD for officials (previously 130-300 USD for individuals and 300-600 USD for officials).
• Fines for repeat trade mark violations within one year of approx. 480–950 USD for individuals, and approx. 950–1,600 USD for officials, with mandatory confiscation of infringing items (previously 300-450 USD for individuals and 600-700 USD for officials)(Article 5).

Unauthorised use of inventions, utility models, industrial designs, topographies, and plant varieties incurs:

• Fines of approx. 160–320 USD for individuals and approx. 320–640 USD for officials (previously 90-150 USD)
• Fines for repeat offenses within one year of approx. 320–640 USD for individuals, and approx. 640–950 USD for officials, with confiscation (Article 5).

Under Article 6, goods, packaging, and labels infringing trade mark rights must be seized and destroyed at the violator’s expense.

New criminal liabilities for IP infringement

• Article 149 (author’s non-property rights infringement) penalises false authorship or unauthorised IP disclosure with fines of 1,600–2,400 USD, up to 5 years of rights deprivation, 360 hours of community service, or 2 years of restricted liberty. Cases with aggravating factors incur fines of 2,400–3,200 USD or 2–3 years imprisonment, with exemptions for first-time offenders who compensate damages within 30 days.
• Article 149¹ (copyright and related rights infringement) penalises unauthorised use or distribution of copyrighted works causing significant damage with fines of approx. 1,600–3,200 USD, or up to 2 years of correctional labor, restricted liberty, or imprisonment. Cases with aggravating factors, such as repeat violations or use of media/Internet, incur fines of approx. 3,200–4,800 USD or 2–3 years imprisonment, with exemptions for damage compensation.
• Article 149² (trade mark, geographical indication, appellation of origin and firm name infringement) penalises misuse of protection signs for trade marks, GIs, AOs, and firm names, incurring fines of 1,600–3,200 USD or up to 2 years imprisonment for significant damage. Cases with aggravating factors, such as repeat violations or group actions, face fines of 3,200–4,800 USD or 2–3 years imprisonment, with exemptions for compensation within 30 days.
• Article 149³ (patent, design, topography, and plant variety infringement), penalises unauthorised use causing significant damage with fines of approx. 1,600–2,400 USD, up to 360 hours of community service, or 2 years of restricted liberty. Cases with aggravating factors carry fines of approx. 2,400–3,200 USD or 2–3 years imprisonment, with exemptions for compensation within 30 days.

Recommended actions for businesses and IP rights holders

To ensure compliance with the law, rights holders should:

• Ensure marks like “®” are used only for registered IP rights to avoid significant penalties for misuse, particularly under Article 149².
• Utilise the extended six-month window for paying grant fees and the streamlined filing process to optimize IP registrations.
• Anticipate increased inspections by the Ministry of Justice starting 10 November 2025, and ensure compliance with IP usage and licensing requirements to mitigate risks of penalties for violations causing significant damage.
• Consult legal professionals specialising in Uzbekistan’s IP laws to navigate the updated regulations, particularly for electronic filings, plant variety registrations, and criminal liability risks under Article 149².
• Check current conversion rates and confirm exact amounts with local authorities, as fines are calculated in USD based on the estimated base calculation amount (BCA) of 32 USD and may vary due to currency fluctuations.

For detailed provisions or translations, refer to Lex.uz or consult CWB Uzbekistan.