Iran - free online trade mark searches

News from good friends Raysan Patent & Trademark Agents of a new service they have launched:

"We are pleased to inform you that may carry out FREE online trademark search on www.irantm.com with your username and password. The website provides you with the possibility to conduct FREE real-time online searches for identical and similar marks as well as proprietor and status check among published and registered marks.

You can carry out FREE online searches for a National trade mark and an International Registration designating Iran that have been accepted and published in the local Trade Marks Gazette. The database consists of trademark applications published in the Trade Marks Gazette since July 18, 1925 to October 27, 2013."

Good news.

Saudi Arabia - Trade Mark Office significantly speeds up examination

The Trade Mark Office in Saudi Arabia is processing trade mark applications exceptionally quickly. From the end of October applications have been published within two or three days of the applications being filed. Whether this is due to the recent changes in the application process at the Trade Mark Office (reported here) is not known.

This part of the Empty Quarter cannot help but wonder if applications are being rigorously examined within such a short period of time.

WCO Operational seminar in Tunisia from 9th to 13 December 2013

News that that WCO will organize an operational seminar in Tunisia. Five countries will be involved (Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt) . The seminar will take place in Tunis. Rights holders who are members of the WCO IPM program are allowed to present to the officials.

Syria - amended trade mark renewal fees

News from good friends SMAS "that the Syrian Trademarks Office has announced that additional costs will be added to the renewal application for Multi-Class registered trademarks; particularly to the publication fees, and the applicant will be charged for the publication of the trademark renewal application in each Class separately, instead of being charged for one publication fees for the trademark renewal application despite the number of Classes, with a retroactive effect to the trademarks renewal applications which the renewal certificates has not been issued yet."