Amendments to the Trade and Service Marks Act and the Patents Act remain at the Bill stage.

The new law imposes strict penalties, and is expected to curb piracy while boosting protection.

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.

New services and revised fees have been introduced, covering trade mark and related matters, company searches, and official expert reports.

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

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The outdated 1958 Trade Marks Act is replaced with a modern, internationally aligned framework for trade mark protection and administration.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

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.

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.