2020 Year in Review: Top IP Stories and Events

Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) has rounded up the top Intellectual Property stories of 2020.

AGIP
- Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property Earned MIP’s ‘Middle East IP Firm of the Year’ for 2020.
- AGIP was Elected Best IP Advisor in Africa 2020.
- Launch of New Office in Djibouti.
- Launch of Product Certification Department. 
-AGIP Reduced Trademark Registration Fees in Syria.
- AGIP was Awarded Certificate of Appreciation by Dubai Customs.
- AGIP Reduced Trademark Renewal Fees in Syria.
- New service was introduced in China and Algeria: IPRs Recordation with Customs.

West Bank
- Changes in Trademark Practices: a trademark application can be filed along with a scanned simply signed Power of Attorney; however, the simply signed Power of Attorney should be notarized, legalized up to the concerned Palestinian Consulate and submitted at the Trademarks Office within one month as from the filing date.
-Establishment of Registry for Industrial Property Agents.

Tunisia
Increase in Official Fees for all trademarks services as from January 27 2020.

Turkey
Increase in Official IP related Fees. 

Denmark
New E-filing for Designs in Denmark went live on February 17, 2020.

Egypt
- Egypt started the registration of geographical indications for the first time in the country.
- New Patent Applications are Accepted Based on Priority.

UAE
Reduction in Trademark Fees.

KSA
- Executive Rules for the Compulsory Licensing of Patents were issued.
- Value Added Tax (VAT) will be raised from 5% to 15% starting from July 1, 2020.
- Sound Trademark Entered in “Registrable Trademarks” Arena in Saudi Arabia.
- Surname is Now Registered as Trademark in Saudi Arabia.
- Registration of Collective Marks Containing Geographical Indications. 

Jordan
Activation of Regulations of Patent Examination. Article 20 of the Jordanian Patent Regulation, where it is required to pay examination fees.

Syria
Increase in Official Trademark Fees.

Italy
Italy Opened its National Route for PCT Applications. The Italian Patent and Trademark Office confirmed that PCT applicants can obtain patent protection in Italy directly via an international PCT application, starting July 1, 2020.

Cyprus
New Trademark Official Fees.

Libya
Trademark Office Resumed Issuance of Official Gazette.

Oman
Oman to Introduce 5% VAT.

Algeria
Class Heading as Description of Goods is no Longer Acceptable in Algeria.

China
Major Amendments on Patent Law.