The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has recently issued Order No. 81 amending the Iraqi Patent and Industrial Designs Laws & Regulations (No. 65 of 1970), and Order No. 83 amending the Copyright Law No. 3 of 1971.
Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) received both orders, which were signed by the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, Paul Bremer.
The new name of the Patent and Industrial Designs Law is “Patents, Industrial Design, Undisclosed Information, Integrated Circuits and Plant Variety Law.”
The new amended laws acknowledge the Governing Council's desire to bring about significant change to the Iraqi intellectual property system as necessary to improve the economic condition of the people of Iraq.
In addition, the amended law aims to improve the conditions of life, technical skills, and opportunities for all Iraqis and to fight unemployment with its associated deleterious effect on public security.
Order No. 83 ensures that Iraqi Copyright Law meets current internationally-recognized standards of protection, and to incorporate the modern standards of the World Trade Organization into the Iraqi law.
The aforesaid laws entered into force April 26, 2004.
It is noteworthy that Bremer has already issued Order No. 80 amending Iraqi Trademarks and Descriptions Law No. 21 of 1957.