Trademark Office Announces 15-Year Trademark Protection Validity in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL - The Kurdistan Region’s Trademark Office has announced a new regulation extending the validity period of trademark protection to 15 years. The change applies to all future trademark applications and to pending applications for which registration certificates have not yet been issued as of the effective date.

Under the new rule, applicants filing new trademarks will benefit from the longer protection term from the date of registration. Existing trademarks registered under prior terms will remain subject to the rules that governed their original filings. However, the regulatory update may influence future filings and renewal planning for brand owners operating in the Kurdistan Region. The reform aims to provide stronger, longer-term brand protection for local and international businesses and to align with evolving regional intellectual property standards.

The new regulation states that:
- All new trademark applications will be examined and granted with a 15-year protection period from the date of registration.
- Pending applications with no issued registration certificate by the effective date will be treated under the new term once registered.
- Renewal processes will follow the 15-year cycle, with standard procedures and fees applicable as per the office's guidelines.

For more information, please contact us at erbil@agip.com