LIBYA

Libya: New trademark registration formalities effective 1 May, 2024

On 14^th February 2024, the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade announced important changes to the trademark registration procedures, which will be enforced starting 1^st May 2024. The new regulations include the following key points:

• Powers of Attorney (POA) used for trademark prosecution will now have a validity period of one year from the signing date.

• Documents that have been legalized outside of Libya must be further attested by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Collaboration to confirm the authenticity of consulate legalizations.
• Applicants for new trademark registrations must provide an extract from the commercial register, a certificate of incorporation, or any similar document that verifies the legal existence of the company. This documentation, issued no more than one year prior to the trademark action, must also include an Arabic translation.
• Applications for trademark assignment and other actions related to post-registration records must include the original required documents, also accompanied by their Arabic translations.
• Trademark owners are highly recommended to use any existing POAs and trade licenses, particularly those executed before 1^st May 2023, to avoid the necessity of generating new documentation under the updated guidelines.

These updates are designed to enhance the efficiency and legal conformity of the trademark registration process in Libya. It is highly recommended that all trademark owners who already have powers of attorney and trade license with the trademarks office to make use of them, especially if they have been executed before 1^st May 2023; otherwise, they will be obliged to execute fresh set of documents as mentioned above.

Libya to Resume Publication of Trademarks in its Newly Introduced Official Publication Website, Starting from February 1, 2024.

As a commitment to modernization and optimization of its approach to intellectual property, and in compliance with the newly introduced executive regulations issued under Ministerial Decision No. 26/2024 on 17^th January 2024 (Article 11), the Libyan Trademark Office launched the Libyan Trademark Office – Electronic Publication Platform through which all accepted trademarks will be published. Trademarks with filing numbers 22100-28699 are now scheduled for publication on 1^st February 2024, the Trademark Office has published 6236 trademarks.

The Ministry indicated that it has set a timetable for completing the electronic declaration process for trademark registration applications up to 2023, by June of this year. The Ministry has stressed that the period for receiving requests for the opposition form to register the mark should be 30 days from the date of its declaration on the designated electronic system.

NIGERIA

WTR 1000 recognizes Jackson Etti & Edu Expertise as Gold Tier in IP

On February 21, 2024, the World Trademark Review (WTR) released its highly anticipated list showcasing the foremost firms within Nigeria’s trademark sector. Among the esteemed honorees, Jackson, Etti & Edu stood out as the exclusive recipient of the esteemed Gold Tier recognition, affirming its unparalleled expertise and standing within the industry. Top of Form

EYGPT

The Egyptian Patent Office’s Online Platform Restored After Temporary Outage

Following a temporary malfunction that rendered the online platform at the Egyptian Patent Office inaccessible since Saturday, 3^rd February 2024, officials have successfully restored its functionality. In an official communication issued by the Patent Office, users were informed that as of 11^th February 2024, the online platform is fully operational again. Additionally, the Patent Office has announced an extension for all deadlines pertaining to the submission of applications, documents, and responses to any office action, which will now be extended until Thursday, 15^th February 15 2024.

UGANDA

New Trademark Regulations Implemented in Uganda: Changes in Publication Procedures

In a significant update for trademark regulations, Uganda has announced the issuance and enforcement of the new Trademark Regulations of 2023, effective as of 2^nd February 2024. Notable revisions include a shift in trademark publication procedures, with trademarks no longer being published in the IP Journal, a cost-friendly option previously utilized. Instead, all trademarks will now be published in the Uganda Gazette.

ARIPO

Arusha Protocol to come into force in November 2024

The Republic of Ghana solidified its commitment to plant varieties protection by submitting its Instrument of Ratification for the Arusha Protocol on 24th November 2023. This significant step was taken during the Nineteenth Session of the Council of Ministers in Gaborone, Botswana. With this action, Ghana becomes the fourth member state of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) to deposit their instrument of ratification or accession to the Arusha Protocol.

The Arusha Protocol aims to enhance the protection of new plant varieties and facilitate regional cooperation in this domain. Ghana joins the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Republic of Cabo Verde as the other member states that have ratified or acceded to the Protocol. According to Article 40 (3) of the Arusha Protocol, it will come into force twelve months after four states have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession with the Director General of ARIPO.

This collective effort among ARIPO member states marks a significant milestone in advancing regional cooperation and harmonization of plant varieties protection across Africa.

Nice Classification Revised: January 2024

The 12th Edition of the Nice Classification Comes into Effect on January 1, 2024

The latest edition of the Nice Classification, the 12th Edition, has officially taken effect as of 1^st January 2024. This edition reflects the ongoing advancements in technology and the evolving landscape of various industries.

In response to the rapid evolution of transportation technology, the 2024 edition of the Nice Classification has introduced new terms to represent emerging concepts. “space vehicles” and “self-driving cars” are now included within specific product groups, reflecting the latest advancements in transportation.

Furthermore, reflecting the expansion of interactive services and online entertainment, phrases such as “Content moderation for Internet chatrooms” and “Provision of an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of downloadable digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens” have been introduced.

In alignment with global efforts to address environmental challenges, the updated classification now includes terms related to sustainable development. Categories such as “Production of renewable green energy” and “Light-emitting diode [LED] light bulbs” emphasize the importance of environmentally friendly technologies in today’s world.

The 12^th edition can be found here Nice Classification NCL (12-2024): Advance Publication Now Available (wipo.int)

Read the full update.