Libyan Trade Mark Office to resume work, May 2013

News from friends at Saba & Co that the Trade Mark Office in Libya will resume operations in May 2013 for the first time in 2 years. Search requests and applications will be accepted. A separate report from another agent claims that they filed the first application in April 2013. 

This part of the Empty Quarter welcomes this news as a Trade Mark Office is not much use if it does not function. However, the opening of the office gives rise to various issues. There will be a flood of search requests and applications (for registration, amendments, renewals etc, etc) which may overwhelm the Office. Will agents file in the order in which instructions were given or the will the applications of favoured clients be dealt with first. There is the potential for significant dispute not just between rights holders but also between clients and agents. Will existing applications be examined (please)?  Resourcing at the office is critical to ensure that they can open and stay open.