Bahrain- Updates

On December 25, 2004, the Industrial Property Directorate in Bahrain issued the following procedural circular :

Classification of Goods and Services :

The Trademark Office has adopted the amendment of the 8^th edition of the Nice Classification splitting class 42 into classes 42, 43, 44 and 45. The Trademark Office has started to accept the filing of new applications in the above classes which will also be examined but kept pending for publication until the issuance of the new Trademark Law, which is currently before the Parliament for its approval. The said law is anticipated to come into force within the first half of 2005.

Renewal of Trademarks:

It will not be permitted from now onwards to affect the renewal of trademark registrations prior to the beginning of the last year of the protection period.

Renewal applications for the first period should be accompanied by a simple copy of the registration certificate and renewal applications for previously renewed trademark registration must be accompanied by a simple copy of the last renewal certificate issued for the mark.

Oppositions and Rejection Responses:

Counterstatements to oppositions and responses to rejection decisions should be submitted within a month from the notification date, which is extendable for sixty days  maximum from the expiry of the one month, with an official request to be submitted to the Trademark Office.

All the above procedural directives will be implemented with immediate effect from the date of their issuance; i.e. December 25, 2004.

For any information or clarification on the above, our offices, charges or requirements, please feel free as always to contact us.

   United Arab Emirates (UAE)- Updates

The Council of Ministers issued resolution No. 30 of 2004, amending and introducing new official fees for trademark registrations and renewals, as well as new procedures relating to deadlines for responding to office actions and payment of registration fees.

The ministerial resolution became effective as of January 1, 2005. Hereunder we summarize the main points of this resolution:

Payment of Publication Fees :

The Trademark Office imposed a fine of US$ 14 for each month's delay in the payment of publication fees of an accepted mark, with a maximum fee of US$ 137 for a one-year delay. In the past, it was stipulated to pay the publication fees of an accepted mark within sixty days from issuance of the Examiner' s acceptance decision.  Failure to do so used to result in the cancellation of the mark.

Payment of Registration Fees :

The Trademark Office imposed a fine of US$ 137 for each month's delay in the payment of registration fees, with a maximum fee of US$ 1362 for a one-year delay. According to the old practice, registration fees should have been settled within sixty days after the expiry of the one month opposition term. Failure to comply within the specified period used to result in the cancellation of the mark.

Renewal Fees :

The official fees of a renewal application were increased by US$ 69 if filed during the last year of the protection period.

The official fees of a renewal application were increased by US$ 136 if filed during the three months grace period

   Saudi Arabia- Payment of Patent Annuities

This is to advise that pursuant to the new provisions of the Saudi Patent Law effective as of 1 January 2005, annuities have to be paid for granted patents and pending applications at the beginning of each Gregorian year, starting from the year following the application's filing date.

The said fees have to be paid within three (3) months from the beginning of the year, i.e., up to 31 March of each year.

However, if the applicant fails to do so, a grace period of three (3) months is given with payment of double of the original prescribed fees.

   Jordan - PCT Applications

This is to advise you that it will be possible to file the national phase of PCT as a resolution is before the House of Representatives. It is expected to be approved during the 1st quarter of this year.