33 Articles of the Proposed Industrial Property Law for Patent Protection Discussed

The Ministry’s Legislative Committee discussed 33 articles of the proposed industrial property law for patent protection during a meeting held at the Kobera Palace in Abu-Dhabi under the supervision of the Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, the head of the committee, Mohammad bin Nukhera Al-Thahri.

The Minister of Economics and Trade, Sheikh Fahim Al-Qasmi, the Minister of Transportation Sheikh Ahmad Humaid Al-Tayer, and the Minister of State for Ministerial Affairs Sheikh Saeed Al -Gaith also attended this meeting.

Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Hosani, Deputy Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Assistant to Advisory and Legislative Affairs and State Issues and Muhammad Ali Zaied, Deputy Minister of Finance and Industry and Assistant to Industrial Affairs, were also among the attendants of the meeting, along side members of the Executive Committee and representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Industry.

Al-Thahri said that the committee completed the revision of 33 articles of the proposed law, and will continue the discussion of the remaining articles in a coming meeting.

The said articles include regulations regarding patents, utility models, mandatory licensing and the expropriation of patents.

He said that this Law comes as a manifestation of the security enjoyed by this country, especially in the fields of economy and finance under the patronage and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zaied bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.
Revised Bangui Accord
Effective in February

Trade Marks
Proof of use will no longer be required on renewal. This applies to all renewal applications filed on or after 28 February 2002, including renewals that have passed their due date and are filed during the 6-month grace period. A mark becomes subject to cancellation if it has not been used for an uninterrupted period of 5 years prior to the action for cancellation, instead of 5 years from its registration date.

Patents
The patent term will be extended to 20 years in respect of all registered patents, and application for extension of term for more than 10 years will no longer be required. This includes patents that have reached their 10-year term but are still in the extension grace period at the time the revised law comes into force. PCT applications will be subject to technical examination from which they have been previously excluded.

General
There will no longer be a 12-month time limit for recording changes to proprietors. License agreements and deeds of assignment between nationals of OAPI territories and non-nationals will no longer require the approval of the Competent National Authority.

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