Kuwait to Examine Pending Industrial Design Applications

KUWAIT CITY - The Kuwait Patent Office has begun to examine pending industrial design applications, with the exception of those filed 10 or more years ago, which will be considered expired.

According to Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) Kuwait office, the formal examination process is conducted by first checking the applications thoroughly to ensure that they are filed properly. If the applicant is a company or corporation, the memorandum of association or commercial register entry is required. If the applicant is a non-Kuwaiti individual, then a photocopy of the identification document is required. A photocopy of the civil identity card is required of Kuwaiti applicants.

If the application is filed through an agent, a Power of Attorney should be submitted.  For claiming priority, the priority application should be filed.

In the technical examination stage the designs are separated into categories according to the Locarno Classification. Then, each category is examined separately. Examination is conducted in chronological order to avoid conflict.

After completing the technical examination and accepting the design, the application will be published in one issue of the Official Gazette.  Any interested party can oppose the design within 30 days from the date of publication. In the absence of opposition to the published design within 30 days as from the date of publication, the corresponding certificate of registration will be due for issuance.

The Kuwait Patent Office grants a grace period of three months from the date of filing the design application to submit the required documents.

The Patent Office has not yet issued any official notification in this respect.

For more information, please contact AGIP Kuwait office:

Premises address: Souk Al-Kabir Bldg, 9th floor, Block A, Fahed Al-Salem Street, Kuwait
PO Box: 4729, Safat 13048, State of Kuwait
Tel: (00 965) 2243 3004
Fax: (00 965) 2244 0111
E-mail: kuwait@agip.com
Contact Person: Gamal Lotfy (Mr)