Market Update - September 2015

Algeria Algeria signs up the Madrid Protocol

43 years after acceding to the Madrid Agreement, Algeria has joined the Madrid Protocol.

The protocol will come into force in Algeria on 31 October 2015 and from this date brand owners in Algeria will gain full access to the territories covered by the Madrid Protocol for international trade mark protection.

Iran Iran Trade Mark Office improves examination process

It has been reported by our agents in the region that there has been an improvement in the number of applications being examined in Iran (with 52,000 applications being examined in 2013 and 56,000 being examined in 2015).

With the sanctions position in Iran easing, the number of fresh applications being filed in Iran is increasing. It will be interesting to see if the Trade Mark Office in Iran will be able to deal with these increased numbers.

If you are unaware of whether your business can file for trade mark protection in Iran, please speak with your usual contact at Clyde & Co or refer to our note on this issue here.

Qatar Electronic Filing and Processing of International Patent Applications in Qatar

In its capacity as a Receiving Office, the Intellectual Property Department in Qatar will start to receive and process international patent applications in electronic form. This change came into effect on 1 September 2015.

The officials are accepting international applications filed using the ePCT-Filing function in the ePCT Portal. This is good news for applicants as this electronic processing of applications is more time and cost efficient.

Qatar Seizure of fake CDs

According to newspaper reports, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in Qatar has successfully seized 3,379 fake CDs from an outlet located in Doha. Following the seizure of the fake CDs, a fine was issued to the infringer for copyright infringement and other related rights.

Clyde & Co comment (Rob Deans, Partner): It is unusual to see publicity with regard to successful administrative actions in Qatar. Both the success of this action and the publication of the news is positive for intellectual property rights owners with interests in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia New figures released showing millions of counterfeit products seized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in first 6 months of 2015

According to newspaper reports, the Saudi Arabian Customs Authorities have reported that a total of 34 million counterfeit products have been seized during the first six months of 2015.

In addition to...