Israel Boycott Declaration No Longer Required in Syria

DAMASCUS - Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Al-Otari approved on June 4, 2008, as per Directive No. 4964/1, to exempt all new trademark, patent, industrial drawing and design applications from the Israel Boycott Declaration’s requirement.

Accordingly, all foreign first-time applicants, who are not listed on the Boycott List, can file their applications in Syria without the need to provide the Boycott Declaration.

The Premier’s approval came in response to a recommendation suggested by the Economic Committee in May 2008.

However, the effective date of the Boycott Declaration waiver was not decided by the Property Protection Department.

Prior to this decision, applications accepted by the Registrar were referred to the Boycott Office to clear the applicant’s company name. First-time applicants with no prior clearance were required to submit the Israel Boycott Declaration. Once such clearance was obtained, the application processed to registration.

For more information or any inquiries regarding the above matter, please contact Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) Syria Office at syria@agip.com.