New Trademark and Geographical Indications Law Issued in Yemen
24-Nov-2010 SANAA - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh issued on November 22, 2010 decision No. 23 of the year 2010 concerning trademarks and geographical indications which will be implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The 61-article law includes definitions, trademarks, geographical indications, temporary procedures, penalties and general provisions.
The law comes in response of the economic changes on local and international levels and a mechanism to provide the appropriate legislation environment that encourages investments, commercial exchange, technology transfer and mobilizing creativity and innovation.
The new legislation is also considered a step within the country’s tendency to join the World Trade Organization and to be in consistency with the framework of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
According to the new law, the opposition period to the registration of a trademark was decreased from six months in the previous law to three months.
In addition, the new law incorporates temporary procedures to protect trademarks which include severe penalties against any infringement.
The new law provides a one-year grace period for renewal of trademarks which grants trademark owners a sufficient period to renew their registered marks.
The law stipulates in details other actions regarding trademarks mainly the assignment of a trademark, licensing a mark for others to use it in addition to others.
The new law will come into force three months after its issuance.