04-Jun-2020
Dear Colleagues/Clients
We
would like to inform you that all our regional offices are operative
remotely to better service our clients and respond to their enquiries.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been some new
updates about the Trademark and Patent offices in the countries below:
Qatar:In
Qatar, the government has reduced working hours and the operational
staff. Moreover, applications that could be submitted online will be
processed normally however, some matters might be delayed due to the
fact that visits are not allowed and to the reduced working staff.
UAE:The operations for all matters in UAE are already carried electronically therefore work is regular.
Lebanon:The
government took a complete lockdown’s decision until further
announcement and the Trademark Office in Lebanon postponed activities,
initially until April 12, 2020. Such suspension could be extended
further due to the pandemic situation in Lebanon.
Egypt:The
Patent Office in Egypt has now reopened after being closed for a few
days. Starting from March 24 2020, a curfew has been implemented by the
government from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am the following day. Also, they came to
the decision to reduce the working hours from 9:00am to 12:00 noon. As
well, they have reduced work capacity by reducing the operating staff by
more than 50%. On March 25, 2020 these restrictions will be applied for
two weeks until further notice.
Jordan:Jordan
is under the complete lockdown; all government departments and private
companies are closed. Due to such circumstances, the Trademark Office in
Jordan has decided that any deadlines falling between March 18, 2020
and March 31, 2020 will be extended until April 1, 2020, as it has
suspended all operations until then. However, such period may be subject
to an extension according to the development of the situation.
Kuwait:The government has shut down all legislative organizations including The Trademark & Patent Office till 12 April 2020.
Iraq:Starting
March 17, 2020 till March 29, 2020 a curfew has been imposed in
Baghdad. As of March 29, 2020, the IP directorates are expected to
resume operations. However, it might be an extension for the lockdown
according to the development of the situation.
Tunisia:Due
to a curfew the government set, the Patent and Trademark Office,
declared it will be accepting all IP matters by means of email.
Algeria:In
Algeria, they have reduced working hours, the working hours of The
Intellectual Property office are from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM
Morocco: As
from March 20, 2020 the Government announced a health crisis and a
limit regarding movement across the country. Due to the restrictions,
applicants have been asked by the Patent and Trademark Office in Morocco
to present all applications online except for recordals which will be
submitted on a date later announced.
Saudi Arabia:KSA
Authority for Intellectual Property is closed until further notice;
however, operations for all IP matters are carried electronically till
March 31, 2020 and the original documents can be submitted in the
future.
Our
team is accessible to answer to your requests and follow up with
pending records and deadlines as always. Obviously, there will be a few
constraints during this period, yet we accept that with adequate
measures having been made we will have the option to conquer this crisis
together.
We
will continue to update you as new information arises. In the meantime,
if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us atrmul@wx-oh.xln