Qatar Launches IP Management Clinics
This September, Qatar is set to launch Intellectual Property Management Clinics (IPMC) to support innovators. The initiative is a result of a partnership between the Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is designed to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises as well as the IP ecosystem in the country, by advancing strategic intellectual property management and promoting innovation.
SAIP Reports Continued IP Growth
On 27 August 2025, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) announced continued growth in the country's intellectual property ecosystem during the first half of the year. Patent applications rose by 23% with 27,938 filings, while trademark registrations increased by 15%, reaching 18,784 marks.
Singapore Announces Upcoming Official Fee Revisions
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has announced revisions to its official fee schedule, particularly affecting excess claim fees for patent applications. The revised fee schedule applies only to applications filed on or after September 1, 2025.
USPTO Moves PTAB Hearings to In-Person Format Starting September 1, 2025
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced that, effective September 1, 2025, all Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) hearings will be held in person, with remote appearances permitted only for good cause.
EPO Announces Acceptance of Colored Drawings in Patent Filings
According to the Decision of the President of the European Patent Office (EPO) dated 7 July 2025, the EPO will accept colored drawings, provided they are filed electronically, starting October 1, 2025. This welcome development will apply to (i) first European filings filed on or after that date, (ii) European divisional applications, provided the parent application also has drawings in color, and (iii) European applications claiming priority, on condition that the priority application also has drawings in color. The President's decision will not be applicable to the description and the claims, including formulae, tables, and similar matter.
UAE and USA Strengthen IP Cooperation with Accelerated Patent Grant Agreement
On July 11, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) signed an Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) Agreement.
Libya: Temporary Suspension of New Trademark Applications
The Libyan Ministry of Economy has suspended the acceptance of new trademark applications from March 5, 2025, through April 10, 2025, in an attempt to reduce the Trademark Office's (TMO) backlog. It is prudent to note that the processing of renewals, recordals, oppositions, and appeals during this period will remain unchanged. We at Osha BWB IP are monitoring the updates and please reach out to tm@obwb.com for any inquiries.
Libya's Unconventional Trademark Practice Changes
Two main updates took place recently in Libya: 1. Revocation of Trademark applications filed during the suspension period between April 2, 2024 and September 2, 2024. As a result: a) All acceptance notices issued during the closure period have been withdrawn and b) Appeals against rejected applications, which were previously denied due to conflicts with trademarks filed during the suspension period, are now accepted. Trademark owners will need to reassess their legal positions and may need to reapply.
Saudi Arabia Joins the Hague System for International Registration of Industrial Designs
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) announced today its accession to the Hague Convention for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. The Hague System provides a simplified process for obtaining design protection and allows design protection to be secured simultaneously in multiple countries or regions through a single international application and in one language with a single set of fees.
Iraq TMO Adopts 11th Edition of the Nice International Classification
The Iraqi Trademark Office has announced that it will adopt the 11th Edition of the Nice International Classification, effective January 14, 2025. All new trademark applications will be subject to this classification. Official fees will not be changed at this stage. The TMO will adjust the current official fees to the Nice Classification by replacing the subclass in the old local classification with the item code of the Nice Classification. This means the charges will vary according to the number of item codes covered by each trademark.
