30 June 2025
Mauritius Acceeds to Harare Protocol
From 27 August 2025, Mauritius may be designated in ARIPO applications covering patents, utility models, and industrial designs.
Insights
IP News
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30 June 2025Kazakhstan Recognises EAPO as ISA Under PCT
Applicants from Kazakhstan can designate the EAPO as their International Searching Authority for conducting international patent searches under the PCT framework.
30 June 2025Hungary IPO Issues 2024 Annual Report
The annual report highlighted a notable rise in IP activity in Hungary over the past five years.
30 June 2025Key IP Developments in Slovenia in 2024
Slovenia marked its third consecutive year of growth in patent filings at the EPO, with a 2% rise, surpassing the EU average decline of 0.4%.
27 June 2025Bahrain and EPO Strengthen Patent Cooperation
The EPO and Bahrain have partnered to facilitate resource and knowledge sharing and enhance the patent processing efficiency.
19 June 2025Egypt: Official Patent Examination Fees Increase, Payment Deadline Shortened
As of 18 June 2025, official patent examination fees doubled and the payment deadline was shortened to three months.
15 May 2025Hungary Amends Official Fees
New official fees payable to the Hungarian IPO have been in effect since 13 April 2025.
28 March 2025Nigeria Joins International Plant Variety Protection Union
Nigeria has recently joined the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as its 80th member.
11 February 2025ARIPO: Significant Increase in Patent and Design Fees as of 1 March 2025
The new official fees for certain patent and design services will come into force on 1 March 2025, affecting both new and existing applications.
19 December 2024Malawi First to Ratify WIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
The Treaty includes provisions specifically related to indigenous peoples and local communities.
27 November 2024Ethiopia to Accede to Paris Convention
Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers approved the country’s accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
27 November 2024Serbia: New Seed Law to Enter into Force Soon
The new law will unify the existing regulations into a single legal framework aligned with EU standards.
27 November 2024Saudi IPO to Serve as ISA, IPEA
The Saudi IPO will begin functioning as an ISA and an IPEA on 15 December 2024.
1 November 2024Bosnia on the Way to Becoming 40th EPO Member
EPO has invited Bosnia and Herzegovina to accede to the European Patent Convention.
2 September 2024UPC Agreement Enters into Force in Romania
Romania became the 18th EU member state to ratify the Agreement.
27 June 2024ARIPO and Chinese IPO Launch Joint Patent Prosecution Highway
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization and the Chinese Intellectual Property Office launched a joint Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program on 8 June 2024.
29 February 2024Saudi Arabia Announces IP Exchange Platform, IP Prosecution Initiative
Saudi Arabia has recently announced the launch of a National Intellectual Property Rights Exchange Platform and an Intellectual Property Prosecution initiative.
29 February 2024Kazakh IPO Grants Patent to Adai Horse Breeders
The Kazakh Intellectual Property Office recently granted a patent for Kazakh horse breed ‘Adai’ to the Association of Adai Horse Breeders.
31 January 2024Georgia Becomes EPO Validation State
The validation agreement between Georgia and the European Patent Organization entered into force on 15 January 2024.