ANDORRA
February 14, 2016
As of January 25th, 2016 patent applications can be filed in Andorra. Even though the patent law had been approved back in 1999, it had never entered into force.
ARGENTINA
February 14, 2016
The Argentinian Congress has passed a law pursuant to which the mediation proceedings will no longer suspend the 1 year term to settle trademark oppositions. As of March 26th, 2016,
BRAZIL
February 14, 2016
A bilateral agreement between the USPTO and BRPTO has recently been enacted allowing for a PPH request. The program will be valid for a period of two years (or until 150 US or BR priority applications are accepted by each of the offices following this program). Please note
CHILE
February 14, 2016
On January 4th, 2016, a series of amendments were introduced to the bill of law that modifies the Health Code in order to regulate generic bioequivalent pharmaceutical products and prevent the vertical integration of pharmaceutical laboratories and pharmacies. Among other provisions
COSTA RICA
February 14, 2016
Costa Rican Patent Office is changing its interpretation on the calculation term to pay patent annuities. As a result, overdue annuities are to be paid retroactive from the international application date.
COLOMBIA
February 14, 2016
The Superintendence of Industry and Trade of Colombia has issued Resolution No.73446 of 2015, approving the new official taxes for patents, industrial models, industrial designs, trademarks, collective marks and similar, which have come into effect as of January 1st 2016. There are some
EUROPEAN UNION
February 14, 2016
On 15 December 2015 the negotiating teams of the European Parliament and the Council reached a preliminary agreement on the text of the Directive o. The Commission participated in the negotiations as a facilitator. The agreement will need to be formalized
EUROPEAN UNION
February 14, 2016
The EU trademark reform legislative package has been approved and will enter into force on March 23rd, 2016. The OHIM will now be called EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and community trademarks will be EU trademarks (EUTM). This legislative package aims at
JAPAN
February 14, 2016
Effective April 1st, 2016, fees for trademark registration and renewals are lowered as follows.
Office fee per class (JPY) Current New Reduction Registration fee for 10 years 37,600 - 28,200 - 9,400 - for 5 years 21,900 - 16,400 - 4,400 Renewal fee for 10 years 48,500 - 38,800 - 9,700 - for 5 years 28,300 - 22,600 - 5,700
LAOS
February 14, 2016
The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) deposited with the Director General of WIPO its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks on December 7, 2015. With this accession,
MEXICO
February 14, 2016
Last November 10th, 2015, a proposal to amend the Mexican IP Law was published. The proposal needs to be studied but, if approved it will set up an opposition system for trademarks in Mexico.
SAUDI ARABIA
February 14, 2016
Saudi Arabia has recently implemented new regulations on its Patent Law concerning the national stage entry of PCT patent applications. These new regulations
TURKMENISTAN
February 14, 2016
the Government of Turkmenistan deposited with WIPO its instrument of accession to the Geneva (1999) Act of the Hague Agreement
VENEZUELA
February 14, 2016
In accordance to recent Official Gazette 40.846, the Venezuelan Government has established a new and increased Official Tributary Unit. The Tax Unit is
VIETNAM
February 14, 2016
A PPH program will begin on April 1st, 2016 to enable accelerated patent examination based on the findings of the Japanese Patent Office.