The Sultanate of Oman issued 5 new decrees during the month of May that will assist in the protection of intellectual property. All the new laws work towards adopting TRIPs.
1. Sultani Decree No. 37/2000 issuing the law for the protection of copyrights and neighboring rights. This law replaces the Copyright Protection Law issued by the decree No. 47/96 and is to be implemented as soon as the implementing regulations are issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
2.Sultani Decree No. 38/2000 issuing the law of trademarks and indications and trade secrets, and for protection against unfair competition.
This law replaces the trademark law No. 68 of 1987 and is to be implemented as soon as the implementing regulations are issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
3.Sultani Decree No. 39/2000 issuing the law of designs. The new law provides protection for design applications which were not included in previous provisions of the accompanying Law of industrial designs and shall be implemented once the Minister of Commerce and Industry issues the implementing regulations.
4.Sultani Decree No. 40/2000 issuing the law for the protection of geographical indications.
5. Sultani Decree No. 41/2000 issuing the law for the protection of the designs (topography) of integrated circuits.