LOACKER vs. JACKER – Saudi Arabia

A trademark application for "JACKER" was filed under No. 99714799

in class 30 was in the name of Oriental Food Industries, a Malaysian

company, and published for opposition purposes on 16 July 2004.

We work on behalf of the well known Italian Company "Loacker S.p.A- AG", and filed

an opposition before the Bureau of Grievance  based on confusing similarity with 

LOACKER. After several sessions and hearings, the committee issued its decision in our client's favor and cancelled the application. The opponent did not appeal the decision within the 30 days.

Payment of Patent Annuities in Saudi Arabia- URGENT REMINDER

This is to remind you of article 35/1 of the Patents Regulations, which states that Patent

renewal fees should be paid within the first three months, regardless of the filing date,

with a grace period of 3 months. Kindly note that the grace period ends on 30 June

2005, and failing to pay the annuities will result in the lapsing of the Patent.

Turkey -updates:

The Patent and Trademark Office has recently issued a resolution to increase Official Filing Fees. Earlier, Filing Fees used to cover ONE trademark up to 3 classes; however, it is now required to pay additional fees for every class after the first class.

Syria -updates:

On May 6, a new stamp duty regulation was issued and a stamp duty has to be paid on the Registration Certificate. The additional increase is $50.

Oman- Amendment to filing requirements:

The Trademark Office has recently refrained from requesting a legalized Extract from the Commercial Register or any equivalent document. Instead, a certified copy of the same will suffice.

Accordingly, Filing requirements are:

1. A Legalized Power of Attorney.

2. Certified copy of an extract from the Commercial Register or any equivalent document.

Sao Tome: New Trademark Law:

This is to advise that the authority of Sao Tome has just issued a Trademark Law. Now it is possible to file a trademark application to replace the old cautionary notice procedure.

Northern Cyprus:

A revised regulation has been issued in order to simplify the requests. Accordingly, they are as follows:

Trademarks:

A. Filing:

• Simply Signed Power of Attorney (no legalization or notarization are required as before).

B. Renewal:

1. Simply signed Power of Attorney

2. Renewal Application should be filed at any time, but no more than 3 months before the expiry date. If no renewal fees are paid, the Registrar will advertise in the Official Gazette the lapsed Registration, and in this case it is possible to file a late Renewal Application within 2 months of the date of advertisement.

C.  Assignment/ Merger:

1. Deed of Assignment/ Merger simply signed by both parties.

2. Power of Attorney simply signed by the Assignee.

3. Registration Certificate for endorsement.

D. Change of Name:

1. Notarized Certificate attesting the change of name issued by the competent authority.

2. Simply signed Power of Attorney reflecting the new name.

3. Registration Certificate for endorsement.

E. Change of Address:

1. Notarized Certificate attesting the change of address issued by the competent authority.

2. Power of Attorney reflecting the new address.

3. Registration Certificate for endorsement.

 Kindly note that service marks are still not registrable.

Patents:

F. Filing requirements:

As you may know, any Patent Application should be based on a UK registration, and the privileges and rights conferred by a patent registered in Northern Cyprus continue to be in force according to the British patent duration.

Requirements are as follows:

1. Two copies of the specifications (with drawings if any) of the UK Patent (Notarized or legalized).

2. A Notarized Certificate of the UK Patent Office giving full particulars of the grant of patent on such specifications.

3. A Legalized or notarized Power of attorney.

Designs:

Designs are still not registrable in Northern Cyprus. A law which enacted when Cyprus was a British Colony is still in force, according to it, designs registered in the UK are deemed to be valid as if they are registered locally in Northern Cyprus.