Jordan - Standards and Metrology Organisation Law amended

News from good friends Saba & Co in their September 2015 bulletin (here) of amendments to the Standards and Metrology Organisation Law 

Iran - enforcement

There is a summary of enforcement options in Iran from good friends Saba & Co in their September 2015 bulletin here.

Global Innovation Index 2015

In a notice (here) on 17 September 2015 WIPO released the Global Innovation Index 2015. The WIPO website page for the GII is here while the main GII page is here. The WIPO page states:

The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks the innovation performance of 141 countries and economies around the world, based on 79 indicators. The GII is co-published by WIPO, Cornell University and INSEAD.

The GII 2015 explores the impact of innovation-oriented policies on economic growth and development. High-income and developing countries alike are seeking innovation-driven growth through different strategies. Some countries are successfully improving their innovation capacity, while others still struggle.

The main GII website allows the full report to be downloaded and read at your leisure (from here). The infographics page (here) is brightly coloured and provides lots of easily read information - not least of which are honourable mentions for Saudi Arabia (coming in third overall as a leader in innovation in the Northern Africa and Western Asia region) and the United Arab Emirates (as the leader in cluster developments).

The rankings page (here) allows the reader to filter by region and sort by each part of the report (covering everything from Institutions to School Life Expectancy).

There is comment here from Gulf News.

UAE - Trade Mark Office - trial of on line filing and renewals

News reaches this part of the Empty Quarter of an announcement yesterday by the Trade Mark Office of the trial of on line trade mark filing and trade mark renewal. The service is accessed through the Ministry of Economy website here or here.

There is a trial period from 13 September 2015 to 19 September 2015. There is no news of when the service might go live or when other services may be added. 

This part of the Empty Quarter is delighted by this announcement and holds hope in his heart that it heralds a new era of the opening up of the Trade Mark Office so that information is readily accessible by all as it is in so many jurisdictions around the world.

Lebanon - WTH Mulford to close

Sad news has reached this part of the Empty Quarter that Mr David Meshaka passed away on 23 August 2015. Our condolences go to his family and colleagues.  Following this sad news we have heard that the firm, WTH Mulford, will close in its current form and then arise phoenix like again under the same name. While the news is currently not clear, it appears that existing prosecution matters will be completed and the certificates sent out. However, the business is not accepting any new instructions.  All those with matters currently with WTH Mulford should contact them for further news and advice.

UAE - Dubai - "Dubai raids net record Dh195m in fake goods" reports The National

The front page of The National today reports "Dubai raids net record Dh195m in fake goods".

There is then an editorial piece "Fake goods are too prevalent".

Saudi Arabia - possible increase to official fees for publication of trade mark renewals and assignments

News from NJQ:

"Expected Increase in the Official Publication Fees

It is expected that the official fees for the publication of renewals and recordal of assignments will be increased from 15 October 2015.

The old fees of said publication of assignments were SAR500 and for renewals SAR300; the new fees will become SAR3000 for both.

We recommend applying for any renewals and assignments as soon as possible to avoid the new increased fees.

If you have any questions, please contact us at saudi-arabia@qumsieh.com."

Further news from good friends Kadasa & Partners that there has been no official announcement but the rumours are that an increase will be announced when renewals become available through the on-line system, but that the amounts are still under discussion.

And news in the September bulletin from good friends Saba & Co here. 

WIPO Patentscope database now available in Arabic

News (here) from WIPO that the Patentscope database (here) is available to search in Arabic (here).

The WIPO website says that "The PATENTSCOPE database provides access to international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications in full text format on the day of publication, as well as to patent documents of participating national and regional patent offices. The information may be searched by entering keywords, names of applicants, international patent classification and many other search criteria in multiple languages."


The news item says" The PATENTSCOPE search system is now available in Arabic in addition to the nine existing languages. It is now possible to do the following exclusively in Arabic:
Carry out searches
Browse search results
Log into your user account
Browse help and supporting pages

More advanced search features (e.g. stemming) will gradually become available in Arabic."

Wow, says this part of the Empty Quarter, that is a lot of really useful information in Arabic for inventors in the region.

Tunisia - Decree No. 2015-303 on trade marks

News hot of the press from WIPO today that Decree No 2015-303 has been added to the WIPO Lex database (in Arabic and French). The notice reads:

The Decree No. 2015-303 of June 1, 2015, establishing the Procedures for the Registration of and Opposition to the Registration of Trademarks and Service Marks, as well as the Procedures concerning Recording in the National Register of Marks came into force on June 9, 2015, and repealed Decree No. 2001-1603 of July 11, 2001.

The Decree introduces the following modifications:

(i) introduction of electronic filing of applications for the registration of trademarks;
(ii) setting out of provisions governing the trademark registration through the Madrid Protocol;
(iii) extension during the opposition period of the time for the applicant to submit observations from 45 days to 2 months from the date of notification of the opposition;
(iv) fixation of a maximum period of 8 months from the date of submission of observations for the applicant and the opponent to attempt conciliation in the trademark opposition;
(v) extension to 2 months from 1 month of the period during which the opponent may furnish proof of the use of the trademarks upon which opposition has been based; and
(vi) definition of a period of 2 months for the applicant to submit the missing documents to request recording of a change of names, addresses, ownership, assignment, etc., in the National Register of Marks.

UPDATE

Here is an update from good friends Spoor & Fisher

Tunisia – Procedural changes dealing with trade mark applications and oppositions
Tunisia, a country that recently joined the Madrid Protocol, has made certain procedural changes to its trade mark law. These changes affect not only trade mark applications, but also trade mark oppositions, where an EU-style conciliation process exists. These changes are contained in a new decree, Decree No. 2015-303, which has replaced Decree No. 2001-1603.
The following changes have been brought about:

• There is provision for the electronic filing of trade mark applications, although we understand that such filings are not yet possible.
• There are provisions dealing with trade mark registration through the Madrid Protocol.
• The term within which the trade mark applicant can file observations to a trade mark opposition has been increased from 45 days to two months from the date of notification of the opposition.
• There is now an eight-month term from the date of submission of the observations within which the parties can seek conciliation of the opposition.
• The period within which an opponent may file proof of use of the trade mark on which the opposition is based is increased from one month to two months.
• There is now a two-month term for the filing of any documentation that may be required in order to support transactions such as a change of name, a change of address, or an assignment.

Eid Al Adha holidays 2015

News from good friends Kadasa & Partners that the public sector will be closed in Saudi Arabia from Friday 18 September 2015 to Monday 28 September 2015, returning to work on Tuesday 29 September 2015. These closures will affect the Saudi Trade Mark and Patent offices as well as the GCC Patent Office.

The UAE government has announced the Eid holidays will be 23/24/25 September 2015 for the private sector and 23/24/25/26 September 2015 for the public sector. 

News from good friends Abdelhadi in Egypt that their firm and the government will be closed from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 26 September 2015 and all deadlines falling with that period will be deferred to next working day, Sunday 27 September 2015.

News from good friends Deris in Turkey that their office will be closed on Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September for the holiday. They do not specifically state that the government will be closed on those dates.

Eid Mubarak!

Qatar - extension to pay patent fees to 30 September 2015

Further to the earlier report here that filing fees, substantive examination fees, and accumulated annuities related to patent applications must be paid by 31 July 2015, news from good friends Saba & Co (here) that the Patent Office has extended the deadline to 30 September 2015. 

Iraq - a tale of two trade mark offices

News from good friends Saba & Co on their website that a trade mark registration issued by the Trade Mark Office in Baghdad can no longer be validated at the Trade Mark Office in Erbil. A separate application must now be filed at the Trade Mark Office in Erbil.

The update from Saba (here) reads:

"It is no longer possible for owners to validate registered trademarks at the Trademark Office in Baghdad up to the TMO in Erbil. Owner can now only file a separate application in the Kurdish region for additional local protection.

By way of background, there are two TMOs operating in Iraq: one in Baghdad and another in Erbil. In principle, the scope of the registration at the TMO in Baghdad still covers the whole country, including the Kurdish region. However, trademark owners may seek additional protection by filing applications at the TMO in Erbil. Protection in the Kurdish region is advisable in certain situations especially in an infringement claim. Trademark owners should of course seek sound advice before they decide on the best route to pursue.

Should you have any questions, or require any additional information, please contact us at info@sabaip.com"

Egypt - Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program with Japan

News from good friends Saba & Co in the their July 2015 newsletter (here) that the Egyptian Patent Office and the Japanese Patent Office began a two-year Patent Prosecution Highway program on 1 June 2015. The Patent Prosecution Highway allows an application that has been determined to be patentable in the Japanese Patent Office to undergo an accelerated examination in the Egyptian Patent Office with a simple procedure upon the applicant’s request.

There is more detail on the Saba website.

Oman - plant varieties

A useful, brief, summary from good friends Saba & Co in their June 2015 newsletter (here) on the publication of the implementing regulations of Royal Decree No. 49 of 2009 promulgating the Law on the Protection of Breeders’ Rights in New Varieties of Plants.

They report that:

• applications may now be filed with the General Directorate for Plant and Animal Research at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. 
• filing requirements stipulate that applications must include a title and a full description, along with seeds and any other information or samples that may be requested by the authorities concerned. The protection term is 25 years for trees and grapevines, and 20 years for other plant varieties. 
• renewal fees will have to be paid annually from the filing date.

They then include a useful summary table setting some information about Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey and the UAE.

Jordan - new drug and pharmacy law

A useful, brief, summary from good friends Saba & Co in their June 2015 newsletter (here) on the amendments to the Drug and Pharmacy Law No. 24 of 2015 that came into effect on May 18, 2015.

They report that the main amendments include sanctions imposed on the counterfeiting of medicine:

• the new law allows both imprisonment and a fine, whereas the old law imposed either imprisonment or a fine
• the fine for counterfeiting is now ten times the value of the fake products produced, whereas the old law only imposed a fine of twice the value
• the Food and Drug Administration is authorised to close down any shop, store, gym, or beauty centre that sells or trades in counterfeit or banned medicines or supplements.

Iran & Syria - what is allowed by US sanctions?

A useful, brief, summary from good friends Saba & Co in their June 2015 newsletter (here) on what transactions are authorised under US sanctions to Iran and Syria.

Yemen - a new weekend…..

News by email back in July 2015 from good friends SMAS that "the Yemeni government has recently issued a decree that confirms changing Yemen’s weekend from a Friday-Saturday to a Thursday-Friday schedule, giving Thursday as a weekend instead of Saturday. This decision came into effect on the 18th of June, 2015, and have been incorporated in all public sectors and should be implemented nationwide within the month.

For more information, please contact our Yemen office on Yemen@smas-ip.com"

This part of the Empty Quarter had thought that all countries in the region were now aligned on a Friday/Saturday weekend and well remembers the difficulties of managing work across a region where the weekend was not always the same, let alone always Friday/Saturday and hopes that, in due course, the weekend in Yemen might return to Friday/Saturday, although, of course, the choice is that of the Yemeni government.

GCC - Free Trade Agreement with EFTA

There is an interesting piece in the July 2015 newsletter of good friends Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP on the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association and the GCC countries.

In brief the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association and the Gulf Cooperation Council will result in greater movement of trade in goods, services and government procurement contracts, where member states shall receive ‘most favoured nation treatment.’ The full length article which sets out more information is on their website here.

Oman - Conducting Promotional Offers

There is an interesting piece in the July 2015 newsletter of good friends Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP on Conducting Promotional Offers in Oman.

In brief a commercial establishment is not to conduct or advertise any promotional offer until it has obtained a licence from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. If a promotion is to take the form of a raffle which produces a prize winner, the licensee must inform the MOCI. The full length article which sets out more information including the penalties for violations is on their website here.

Iraq - progress of trade mark applications

News from good friends SMAS of progress in examining trade mark applications in Iraq.

In September 2013 the Trade Mark Office was examining applications in the 52,000 range. In June 2014 the Trade Mark was examining applications in the 54,000 range.  The Trade Mark Office is now examining applications in the 56,000 range.

Earlier posts on the progress of examination are here, here, here, and here.

Adjust your reminders accordingly, progress continues to be slow.

Qatar - Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances

News from WIPO (in July) that Qatar has acceded to the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. The notification (here) states:

Ratification by the State of Qatar

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) presents his compliments to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and has the honor to notify the deposit by the Government of the State of Qatar, on July 3, 2015, of its instrument of ratification of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, adopted at Beijing on June 24, 2012.

The date of entry into force of the said Treaty will be notified when the required number of ratifications or accessions is reached in accordance with Article 26 of the said Treaty.

July 3, 2015

Tunisia - New Amounts, in Swiss francs, of the Individual Fee under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol

News from WIPO that the individual fee for Tunisia has changed:

New Amounts, in Swiss francs, of the Individual Fee in Respect of Several Contracting Parties
In accordance with Rule 35(2)(d) of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shall establish new amounts, in Swiss francs, of an individual fee where, for more than three consecutive months, the official exchange rate of the United Nations between the Swiss franc and the currency used to express the amounts of that individual fee is lower than the last exchange rate applied by at least 10%.

As those conditions have been met, the Director General of WIPO has established new amounts, in Swiss francs, of the individual fee payable in respect of the following Contracting Parties:

Mexico, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Turkmenistan.

The new amounts will be applicable as from September 13, 2015.

For further information, please refer to Information Notices Nos. 31/2015 to 34/2015

Algeria joins the Madrid Protocol

News from WIPO of the accession by the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.

The first notice, dated 31 July 2015, is here.

A WIPO newsletter dated 11 August 2015 stated that:

Algeria Joins the Madrid Protocol

Algeria has acceded to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks, transforming the Madrid System into a one treaty system.

On July 31, 2015, the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria deposited with the Director General of WIPO its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. The Protocol will enter into force with respect to Algeria on October 31, 2015.

Signatory to the Madrid Agreement since July 5, 1972, the country was the last of the 95 members of the Madrid System which was not party the Protocol.

This represents a milestone for the Madrid System and its users. From now on, all international registrations of marks will be exclusively governed by the Madrid Protocol. As a result, the filing and management of international registrations will be simplified for users.

Brand owners in Algeria will also benefit from this accession, gaining full access to the territories covered by the Madrid Protocol for international trademark protection.

An information notice concerning this accession will be available shortly on the WIPO web site.
And then the full information notice No. 35/20158 dated 19 August 2015 is here.

This part of the Empty Quarter is delighted that Algeria has brought the countries in the Protocol and the Agreement in line.

Saudi Customs seize 34 million counterfeit items in first half of 2015

This is the headline of the article which appears on the website of the Saudi Gazette today. The article can be read here. 

Saudi Customs have been very active in screening incoming shipments for many years and regularly detain shipments of goods. But perhaps more interestingly the number of counterfeit items detained is less than the number of items detained on the basis that the do not meet the country's standards and specification - a huge 52 million items in the same 6 month period.

There is further coverage from good friends Saba & Co here.

WIPO - PCT country guides

This part of the Empty Quarter recently added some further newsletters to a subscription on the WIPO website as part of WIPO changing to a new WIPO e-newsletter platform. As a result this part of the Empty Quarter now knows about the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide (here) which provides a very large amount of very useful information on Receiving Offices, International Searching Authorities, Supplementary Search, International Preliminary Examining Authorities, Deposits of Biological Material, and National Chapters on the National Phase.

There are entries for the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan (presumably North), Syria, and Tunisia.

The newsletter from WIPO reports that the National Chapter on Qatar has been updated.

UPDATE: A further newsletter from WIPO received today provides a link to the updated Annex C - Receiving Offices for Qatar which can be found here. 

This part of the Empty Quarter has a firm belief that as much information as possible should be freely available to all and is delighted to see so much information being shared by WIPO.

Milestones (or a mill stone?)

This is the 200th post on this (very) occasional blog of news about IP in the Middle East and North Africa. In that time there have been over 15,000 page views and twice there have been more than 1,000 page views in a month. The average is about 4.5 posts per month (perhaps not enough). 

Iran & Syria & Sanctions & Money

An interesting piece in the June 2015 Bulletin of good friends Saba & Co entitled "IRAN & SYRIA: LICENCE TO PROTECT YOUR IPR" dealing with whether payments to obtain intellectual property rights can be made to Syria or Iran. Fortunately, it appears they can.

UAE - Trade Mark Office - progress on applications filed in 2015

In mid-June 2015 the Trade Mark Office announced that it believed it had examined all applications filed between 1 January 2015 and 30 April 2015. If you have an application filed between those dates which has not been examined this part of the Empty Quarter suggests you follow up with the Trade Mark Office to find out where your acceptance or rejection has been sent.

Iran - WIPO domain name decision - marksandspencer.ir

News from WIPO (here) of the decision to order the transfer of the marksandspencer.ir domain from a local registrant to Marks and Spencer plc.

The local registrant did not respond in the proceedings. The full decision reads:

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION
Marks and Spencer Plc v. Ali Ebrahimi
Case No. DIR2015-0001

1. The Parties

Complainant is Marks and Spencer Plc of London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“UK”), represented by FairWinds Partners, LLC, United States of America.

Respondent is Ali Ebrahimi of Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

2. The Domain Name and Registrar

The disputed domain name is registered with IRNIC.

3. Procedural History

The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on April 8, 2015. On April 9, 2015, the Center transmitted by email to IRNIC a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain name. On April 11, 2015, IRNIC transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. Hard copies of the Complaint were received by the Center on April 13, 2015.

The Center verified that the Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the .ir Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Policy” or “irDRP”), the Rules for .ir Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for .ir Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Supplemental Rules”).

In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceeding commenced on April 17, 2015. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was May 7, 2015. On May 8, 2015, the Center notified Respondent’s default.

The Center appointed Eduardo Machado as the sole panelist in this matter on May 15, 2015. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.

4. Factual Background

Complainant is a UK corporation and is the owner of the trademark MARKS AND SPENCER, with trademark registration in many countries around the world, used in connection with the provision of retail store services offering such items as men’s and women’s apparel, furniture and home goods, food and wine, and many other products.

Complainant has extensively promoted the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark through global news outlets and a full range of media. Complainant is the owner of the domain name .

The disputed domain name was registered on November 29, 2014.

5. Parties’ Contentions

A. Complainant

Complainant argues that it is the owner of the distinctive and globally well-known MARKS AND SPENCER trademark, registered in many countries around the world, in use at least as early as 1884. Currently, Complainant has more than 1,200 locations in over 50 countries operating under the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark.

Complainant has been extensively promoting the trademark for over 100 years, through full range of media and owns the domain name. Consequently to the extensive usage and promotion of the trademark, Complaint argues that it has become famous and widely recognized throughout the world, including the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Complainant states that, apart from the country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) “.ir”, the disputed domain name is identical to Complainant’s registered MARKS AND SPENCER trademark. Complainant alleges that the use of a ccTLD is, at best, irrelevant to the irDRP test but, here, the “.ir” TLD actually enhances confusion by giving the false impression that Complainant maintains a retail store in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Complainant claims that Respondent attracts Internet users by using the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark, making the visitors think they are being linked to one of Complainant’s legitimate websites.

Complainant states that in an early decision involving the and domains, the UK High Court of Justice acknowledged that the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark is “well-known” and went on to hold that “[w]here the value of a name consists solely in its resemblance to the name or trade mark of another enterprise, the Court will normally assume that the public is likely to be deceived, for why else would the Defendants choose it?” Marks & Spencer PLC v. One in a Million, High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, November 28, 1997.

Complainant argues that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests to the disputed domain name. Complainant states that Respondent is not making a bona fide offering of goods and services. The disputed domain name resolves only to an “under construction” page. Complainant argues that the very fame of the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark casts serious doubt upon whether Respondent could make any legitimate use of the disputed domain name.

Complainant states that Respondent is not commonly known by the name Marks And Spencer nor does he operate a business or other organization under this mark or name and does not own any trademark or service mark rights in MARKS AND SPENCER.

Complainant argues that Respondent is not making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the disputed domain name without intent for commercial gain, but to confuse and mislead consumers, or to tarnish the world famous MARKS AND SPENCER trademark. Complainant states that this could lead visitors to think they are visiting a site of Complainant, until they discover the “under construction” message, which may lead to consumers believing Complainant has gone out of business or is not devoting attention to its online marketing or services. Either way, Complainant states that its trademark and commercial reputation are significantly harmed.

Complainant claims that Respondent used the trademark without consent from Complainant and was put on actual notice of Complainant’s rights through Complainant’s extensive use of the famous and distinctive MARKS AND SPENCER trademark, which long predates the creation of the disputed domain name.

Complainant states that Respondent has been merely passively holding the disputed domain name, which amounts to bad faith.

B. Respondent

Respondent did not reply to Complainant’s contentions.

6. Discussion and Findings

To succeed, Complainant must demonstrate that all of the elements listed in paragraph 4(a) of the Policy have been satisfied:

(i) the disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which Complainant has rights; and

(ii) Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name; and

(iii) the disputed domain name has been registered or is being used in bad faith.

The burden of proving these elements is on Complainant.

A. Identical or Confusingly Similar

The Panel finds that the disputed domain name is confusingly similar to Complainant’s MARKS AND SPENCER trademark, which was registered prior to the disputed domain name. The Panel finds that the mere presence of the ccTLD “.ir” is not enough to escape a finding of confusing similarity. In fact, such addition might even mislead consumers into the belief that the disputed domain name is Complainant’s domain name for the Islamic Republic of Iran consumers.

The Panel, therefore, finds that Complainant has established the first condition of the paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

B. Rights or Legitimate Interests

Complainant has alleged that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests with respect to the disputed domain name.

In this regard, the Panel finds that:

With respect to the paragraph 4(c)(i) of the Policy, there is no evidence that Respondent, before any notice of the dispute, used the disputed domain name or a name corresponding to the disputed domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services.

With respect to the paragraph 4(c)(ii) of the Policy, there is no evidence that indicates Respondent has ever been commonly known by the disputed domain name.

With respect to the paragraph 4(c)(iii) of the Policy, Respondent has not made or is making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the disputed domain name without intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark or service mark at issue.

In view of the above, the Panel concludes that Complainant has established the second condition of the paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

C. Registered or Used in Bad Faith

The Panel finds that Respondent has intentionally registered the disputed domain name, which reproduces Complainant’s MARKS AND SPENCER trademark. It is highly unlikely that Respondent did not acknowledge Complainant’s rights on the MARKS AND SPENCER trademark when the disputed domain name was registered.

The allegations of bad faith made by Complainant were not contested as Respondent did not reply to the Complaint. Examining the evidence provided by Complainant, it is confirmed that the trademark MARKS AND SPENCER has been in use long before the disputed domain name was registered, including in domain names highly similar to the disputed domain name. For such reasons, the Panel finds that Respondent must have been aware of Complainant’s trademark when it registered the disputed domain name.

There are no facts set out in the available record which could conceivably justify the registration of the disputed domain name by Respondent.

The Panel finds that the disputed domain name has been passively held by Respondent, as it is solely an “under construction” page.

In this sense, in Telstra Corporation Limited v. Nuclear Marshmallows, WIPO Case No. D2000-0003, the panel found that bad faith use could be established where a respondent had been entirely inactive. Not all the grounds which supported a bad faith finding in that case are present in the facts as set out in the Complaint. However, the notoriety of Complainant’s mark, the failure by Respondent to provide any evidence of actual or contemplated good faith use of the disputed domain name and the fact that it is not possible to conceive of any active use of the disputed domain name which would amount to good faith use and/or would not infringe Complainant’s mark rights cumulatively support a finding by the Panel that Respondent is using the disputed domain name in bad faith.

Therefore, the Panel finds that Respondent registered and used the disputed domain name in bad faith and that Complainant has established the third element of the paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

7. Decision

For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name be transferred to Complainant.

Eduardo Machado
Sole Panelist
Date: June 2, 2015

Morocco - WIPO domain name decision - bikhir.ma

News from WIPO (here) of the decision to order the transfer of the bikhir.ma domain from one local registrant to another. 

The decision is in French.

Morocco - WIPO domain name decision - orange.ma

News from WIPO (here) of the decision to order the transfer of the orange.ma domain from a local registrant to Orange Brand Services Limited.

The decision is in French. At the time of writing the transfer has not yet taken place and the garden plant related services of the registrant can be seen on the website.

Libya - Trade Mark Office update

Further to earlier posts here and here there is news from good friends Beit Al-Khebra Intellectual Property about the functioning of the Trade Mark Office in Libya. 

They report that the Trade Mark Office, which has not printed any registration certificates since 2002, has recently started to print certificates again. This is good news for rights holders around the world and this part of the Empty Quarter hopes that certificates will start flowing out from all of the local agents to their clients soon.

Eid Al Fitr - Saudi Arabia

The new moon is likely to be visible in Saudi Arabia on the evening of Friday 17 July 2015. 

News is beginning to reach this part of the Empty Quarter that the government in Saudi Arabia will close from 10 July 2015, so the last working day before Eid Al Fitr will be Thursday 9 July 2015, and reopen on Wednesday 22 July 2015.

Yemen - Judicial holiday

News today, from good friends SMAS, that the Courts are now on vacation until mid-July 2015, presumably re-opening after Eid Al Fitr. Only urgent cases are dealt with in the holiday.

UAE - Ministry of Economy fee increases with copies of the documents

Further to the earlier posts here, here, and here on the fee increases in the UAE following Cabinet Decree No. 9 of 2015, this part of the Empty Quarter has received a notification dated 13 May 2015 from the Administration of Industrial Property in the Ministry of Economy confirming that the Decree will come into effect on Saturday 30 May 2015 and attaching Financial Circular No. (15) of 2015 signed by the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs to that effect. Also attached is an official English translation of the Decree.

Copies of the various documents can be found here:

Cabinet Decree 9 of 2015 Arabic
Cabinet Decree 9 of 2015 English
Circular 15 of 2015 Arabic
Circular 15 of 2015 English

UAE - WCO and FCA organise an event on 20 May 2015

News from the Federal Customs Authority of an event organised in conjunction with the World Customs Organisation to take place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on 20 May 2015.

Day 1
Keynote Speech: FCA
First Session: UAE and IPR Legislation: Ministry of Economy, Federal Customs Authority, World Customs Organisation, Institute of Training and Judicial Studies
Second Session: Laws and Practices Regarding the Disposition of IPR Infringing Goods: TRIPS Agreement and UAE Law, Pharmaceutical Concerns Regarding Disposal of IPR Goods, International Customs Experience in IPR Goods Disposal
Third Session: Cooperation Between Customs and Private Sector in dealing with IPR: Dubai Customs,
Customs Experience Dealing with Private Sectors
Fourth Session: IPM Mobile: IPM Mobile, UAE Experience in IPM Mobile, Private Sector Experience in IPM
Fifth Session: Common and Specific IPR Issues: Electronics (MMF), Pharmaceutical (Pfizer), Automotive (Harley Davidson), Luxury Goods (Comité Colbert)

Day 2
First Session: Risk Management: WCO Approach on Risk Management; IPM Mobile Training;
Second Session: Tools to Target IPR Fraud—Private Sector Examples: Apple, Richemont, LV, Harley Davidson, Nike, Burberry, Nestlé, Pfizer, Bic.

This part of the Empty Quarter has attended many such events and hopes, as always, that there will be as much action as there is discussion. The sessions which catches the eye is the second session on day 1 on destruction. Many detained shipments of counterfeit product are alleged to have been exported rather than seized and destroyed in the UAE. This part of the Empty Quarter expects this session to be interesting.

UAE - Trade Mark Office - announcements on fees and oppositions

Two announcements from the Trade Mark Office yesterday.

Further to the earlier post here reporting the sprint to complete all oppositions, the Trade Mark Office yesterday sent a request to all agents asking for a list of all pending opposed marks so they can complete the pending oppositions as soon as possible.

Further to the earlier posts here, and here, the Trade Mark Office has issued Administrative Circular 1 of 2015 confirming that the fees will be increased to those set out in Cabinet Decree 9 of 2015 with effect from 30 May 2015.

Morocco - many changes to IP regime

Many reports of the many changes to the IP regime in Morocco. Useful summaries from February 2015 from many good friends: Spoor & Fisher here, H&H IP here, AGIP here; and Saba & Co. here.

South Sudan - an update on not much happening

News from good friends Spoor & Fisher in February 2015 here of what is, or is not, happening in South Sudan. For those who cant click through they say:

"South Sudan

South Sudan gained full independence from Sudan in 9 July 2011, which means that Sudanese trade mark registrations no longer have any effect in South Sudan. Unfortunately South Sudan has not passed its own trade mark legislation either which means, quite simply, that there is no trade mark law. Notwithstanding this, the Business Registry of South Sudan is accepting and processing trade mark applications, and it is being guided by the Sudan Trade Marks Act of 1969.

So what effect do these applications have? Although they have no official effect, the general feeling is that they will be recognised in the sense that a certificate issued under this system will be cited against a later application, and may possibly even be recognised in litigation. The received wisdom also is that any trade mark legislation that is eventually passed will ratify and recognise registrations that were granted under the informal system, and that they will run for ten years from the filing date. It is therefore worthwhile filing in South Sudan.

The filing process under the informal system is quite particular. Only single-class applications may be filed; it is necessary to submit a notarised Power of Attorney and a notarised Certificate of Incorporation or Extract from the Commercial Register; and it is also necessary to submit a representation of the mark and a picture or photo showing how the mark is to be applied to the goods claimed. In cases where the application covers beverages for human consumption, the picture requirement is replaced by one requiring real samples of the container containing the beverage and showing the trade mark to be submitted – this is apparently so that it can be tested for public health reasons.

At this stage there are no corresponding arrangements for patents, designs or other IP rights in South Sudan."

Libya - brief update on what is happening

Further to the earlier post here of news (from February 2015) from good friends Spoor & Fisher here is a very brief update from them. For those who cannot link through they say:

"Libya

Although the Patents Office and the Trade Marks Office both survived the war – with the Patents Office resuming normal operations in 2012 and the Trade Marks Office doing so in 2013 – recent unrest has resulted in the Trade Marks Office closing indefinitely. The Patents Office remains open as it is completely separate to the Trade Marks Office. The Patents Office is located at the Industrial Research Centre, which is run by government officials."

Saudi Arabia - Patent Cooperation Treaty

News by email newsletter from good friends SMAS in March 2015 that the Saudi Patent Office is now acting as a recipient office for International PCT applications and that the Saudi Patent Office has started receiving National Phase applications under the PCT. SMAS report that the Saudi Patent Office has issued a formal notification that the Saudi Patent Office is accredited as a recipient office for International PCT applications from 1 February 2015. From the same date the Patent Office also started to receive national phase patent applications under the PCT scheme.

SMAS report that the requirements for filing a national phase patent applications are:

1. A Power of Attorney, legalised by the Saudi Consulate.
2. A Deed of Assignment from the inventor(s), legalised by the Saudi Consulate.
3. A copy of the PCT application as published.
4. A certified copy of the priority document, if not already included in the PCT application.
5. Specification, abstract, claims, and drawings.

Egypt - conference on Conference on the Challenges Facing the Application of the Intellectual Property Laws in the Arab World

News from good friends SMAS of a conference held in to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day on the Challenges Facing the Application of the Intellectual Property Laws in the Arab World on 22nd and 23rd April 2015 at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo held under the supervision of Intellectual Property Management and Competitive Economic Sector - the General Secretariat of the Arab League in cooperation with SMAS Intellectual Property.

Lebanon - Powers of Attorney must be legalised

News from good friends Saba & Co. in their April 2015 newsletter (here) and good friends SMAS by email alert of announcement No. 15/2/A.T on 21 March 2015 that from 10 April 2015 all Powers of Attorney must be legalised for any transaction at the Intellectual Property Protection Department.

Qatar - patent fees payable

News from good friends Saba & Co. in their April 2015 newsletter (here) that filing fees, substantive examination fees, and accumulated annuities related to patent applications filed before 12 January 2015 must be paid by 31 July 2015. For new patent applications the second and third annuity fees must be paid.

Further news from good friends SMAS by email that the Qatari Patent Office has requested applicants to:

1. Pay the official filing fees of US$550.
2. Pay the official examination fees of US$1390.
3. Pay all accumulated annuity fees on pending application filed in 2012, and 2013. The base date of annuity fee is the filing date of International PCT application.

The official annuity fees will be calculated as follows:

Term          Students    Individuals  Companies and

2nd Year     28             55             110

3rd Year     28             70             140

4th Year     28             85             165

5th Year     28             100           195

6th Year     28             110           220

7th Year     28             125           250

8th Year     28             140           275

9th Year     28             155           305

10th Year   28             165           330

11th Year   28             180           360

12th Year   28             195           385

13th Year   28             210           415

14th Year   28             220           440

15th Year   28             235           470

16th Year   28             250           495

17th Year   28             261           522

18th Year   28             275           550

19th Year   28             275           550

20th Year   28             275           550

UAE - Trade Mark Office opposition sprint

A late update, that the Trade Mark Office is racing through many years of undecided oppositions. Hearings are called at very short notice (two days) and set for 30 minutes. Evidence can be submitted before or at the hearing. Decisions are issued within days of the hearing.

This part of the Empty Quarter is pleased to see the progress and hopes that the Trade Mark Office will complete all pending matters as quickly as sensibly possible.

Syria - more news on legalisation of documents

Further to earlier posts here, here and here on issues with legalisation of documents destined for Syria this part of the Empty Quarter has news to share.

Recently, news reached this part of the Empty Quarter that:

• the Syrian Consulate in Australia is legalising documents 
• the UAE Consulate in the United States of America has stopped legalising documents destined for Syria 
• the Lebanese Consulate in the United States of America is now legalising documents destined for Syria 
• despite rumours to the contrary the Syrian Consulates in Canada are closed and not legalising documents 

The situation appears to change regularly and so this part of the Empty Quarter asks practitioners to share how they legalise documents for Syria so all rights holders can benefit.

UAE - Dubai - DCCI company searches

An update on the earlier post here that the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry are again providing details of the shareholders in a business when providing a company profile. This is good news.

UAE - the new official fees from 29 May 2015

Further to the earlier post here this part of the Empty Quarter now has a copy of Cabinet Decree 9/2015 dated 4 March 2015, published in Official Gazette no. 577 dated 31 March 2015 (published on 21 April 2015) with the full details of the significant increases to the official fees for many transactions at the Ministry of Economy including trade marks, patents, designs and copyrights.

The new fees apply from 29 May 2015. There are no transitional provisions and so the new fees are expected to apply to all fees payable from Sunday 31 May 2015. The new fees are:

Serial. No.		Service Description	Service Fees AED
Copyrights and Neighboring Rights Thereto
1	Collective Management License.		100,000
2	Annual Renewal of Collective Management License.		50,000
3	Collective Management License In lieu of lost One.		1,000
4	Workbook translation License.		1,000
5	Workbook translation License In lieu of lost One.		500
6	Workbook copying license.		1,000
7	Workbook copying license In lieu of lost One.		500
8	Workbook translation and copy license.		2,000
9	Workbook translation and copying license In lieu of lost One.		1,000
10	Workbook Registration in lieu of lost one.		300
11	Workbook Registration for natural person.		100
12	Workbook Registration for corporate person.		300
13	Open file for intellectual Workbook distributers		1,000
14	Registration Application of no more than (10) ten workbooks included in importation or distribution contract, providing that  a new application shall be submitted in case of registering more workbooks.		500
15	Filing Complaint for violation of rights, for natural person.		150
16	Filing Complaint for violation of rights, for corporate person.		500
17	Application for amending data of any workbook.		200
Commercial Agencies
18	Recording a commercial agency into the Commercial agencies register.		10,000
19	Renewal of Registration of commercial agency in The Commercial Agencies Register.		4,000
20	Registration Certificate of Commercial Agency in lieu of lost one		200
21	True copy of a commercial agency contract, or any other document kept in the Commercial Agents Register.		100
22	To Whom It May Concern Certificate  for Commercial agencies		200
23	Circulation Application for Customs, and other authorities with regard to commercial agencies.		200
24	Official extract of Registration Statement		200
25	Application of Certificate of Non Registration in Commercial Agent Register		200
26	Application for recordal in Commercial Agents Register		1,000
27	inspection Application for commercial agency infringement		2,000
28	Application of additional infringement inspection for commercial agency		1,000
29	Current disputes between principals and agents. To be collected from the commercial agent.		12,000
30	Current disputes between principals and agents. To be collected from the principal company.		12,000
Trade marks
31	Trade marks Journal Sale		100 for each copy
32	Annual subscription in Trade marks Journal		1,200
33	Application by the trade mark owner to record any amendment or addition to their trade mark.		500
34	Application to amend the use rules of registered trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures.		500
35	Application for true copy of what is recorded in trade marks register, or of any application or document submitted to/ issued by Trade marks Department		200
36	Trade mark Search Application		500
37	Application to record mortgage on trade mark or related trade marks, or trade mark license or trade mark transfer .		1,700
38	Application to remove a mortgage registered on a trade mark or related trade marks.		500
39	Application to deregister trade mark license.		500
40	Application to deregister as trade mark with regard to all goods, products or services, or any of them.		500
41	Application for registration of trade mark or group of trade marks related to goods, products or services under any class.		1,000
42	Application for registration of trade mark or group of trade marks related to goods, products or services under one class.		10,000
43	Renewal of registration of trade mark or group of trade marks related to goods, products or services under one class.		10,000
44	Application to register a trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures related to goods, products or services under one class.		1,000
45	Application to register a trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures related to goods, products or services under another class.		10,000
46	Renewal of registration of a trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures related to goods, products or services under one class.		10,000
47	Application for recording of information into trade mark register by owner of the registered trade mark.		500
48	Application to renew the protection period of registered trade mark, group of registered trade marks or trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures, if the application is submitted during the last year of protection, and for each trade mark of any group of trade marks subsequent to the first group of trade mark.		1,000
49	Application to renew protection period of registered trade mark, group of registered trade marks or trade mark assigned for control and inspection procedures, if the application is submitted within three months after protection expiration, and for each trade mark of any group of trade marks subsequent to the first group of trade mark.		2,000
50	Filing inspection Application regarding trade mark infringement		2,000
51	Appeal against rejection of an application for registration of trade mark or subjecting the acceptance of the same to a condition.		5,000
52	Opposition to trade mark registration		10,000
53	Application for hearing the statements of both parties, and any of them before considering objections to a trade mark registration.		500
54	Appeal against rejection to make any addition or amendment to a registered trade mark.		2,500
55	Application for temporary protection for a trade mark in local or international exhibitions.		500
56	Objection to application for deregistration of trade mark license of use.		500
57	Publication of trade mark in trade marks journal		1,000
58	Additional Inspection Application regarding the same trade mark infringement complaint.		1,000
59	Appeal against settlement decision issued in opposition to trade mark registration.		10,000
60	Amending registration details of trade mark registration agent.		1,000
61	Application for legal grace period to submit the power of attorney of trade mark registration application, or to submit opposition to a trade mark registration.		1,000
62	Application for legal grace period to submit the document related to a previous priority of trade mark registration in a member country of Paris Convention.		500
63	Application for legal grace period to submit the priority document which was previously submitted in a member country in Paris Conventions, to register trade mark after expiration of three month from the date of filing the subsequent application.		500
64	Application for reconsideration of technical examination decision issued with regard to a trade mark registration.		1,000
65	Issuance of trade mark certificate in lieu of lost one.		200
66	Application for cancellation of trade mark.		10,000
67	Registration of trade mark registration agent, For sole establishment.		3,000
68	Registration of trade mark registration agent, For national company.		5,000
69	Registration of trade mark registration agent, For foreign company.		10,000
Industrial Projects
70	Issuance of Non Compliance Certificate		500
71	Issuance of value -Added Certificate		1,000
72	Update or amend data of Industrial Register		250
73	Issuance of Price Preference Certificate		100
74	Registration of industrial project in Industrial Register for the first time.		1,000
75	Renewal of registration in Industrial Register.		500 annually
76	Initial approval for industrial project		1,000
77	Renewal of initial approval for industrial project		500
78	Application to add one raw material, or more, (introduction of raw material) to the list of raw materials used in industrial production.		100 for each application
79	Application to increase quota of one raw material, or more, (introduction of raw material) in the list of raw materials used in industrial production.		50 for each application
80	Exportation of scrap iron outside UAE		250 for one ton
81	Industrial imports exemption from Customs Fees		50 for each application
82	Industrial inspection		100
Auditors
83	Recordal of Change of any amendment or change to the registration data or the documents attached thereto, or on transfer of registration form one schedule to another , for national companies.		400
84	Recordal of Change of any amendment or change to the registration data or the documents attached thereto, or on transfer of registration form one schedule to another, for foreign companies.		500
85	Recordal of Change of any amendment or change to the registration data or the documents attached thereto, or on transfer of registration form one schedule to another, for natural persons.		200
86	Registration of Head Office of national companies in auditor schedule, for two years.		10,000
87	Renewal of national companies Head Office Registration in Auditors Schedule.		5,000
88	Registration of branches of national companies in Auditors Schedule, for two years.		10,000 for each branch
89	Renewal of national companies branches Registration in Auditors Schedule.		5,000 for each branch
90	Registration of foreign companies in Auditors Schedule, for two years.		25,000 for each year
91	Renewal of Registration of foreign companies in Auditors Schedule.		10,000 for each branch
92	Registration of natural persons in Practicing Auditors Schedule, for two years.		3,000
93	Renewal of natural persons Registration in Practicing Auditors Schedule.		1,000
94	Registration of natural persons in Non Practicing Auditors Schedule, for two years.		1,000
95	Renewal of natural persons Registration in Non Practicing Auditors Schedule.		300
96	Registration in Auditing Trainees Schedule.		1,000
97	Filing a complaint against natural or corporate auditor.		5,000
98	Inquiring about auditors.		200
99	To Whom It May Concern Certificate for auditors.		100
100	Certificate of registration or renewal of registration of auditors in lieu of lost or damaged one.		100
Industrial Property of Patents			Natural person		Corporate person
101	Filing Application for search and technical examination for patents		7,000
102	Filing Application for amending search and technical examination for patents		5,000
103	Publication of any decision, judgment, contract, or procedures which is required to be paid before publication according to Federal Law No 17 of 2002.		400		800
104	True copy of any document of protection documents or other related documents, certificate of content of any of them, or extract of its relative register.		100		200
105	Recordal in agent registration schedule.		3,000
106	Renewal of recordal in agent registration schedule.		2,000
107	Appeal before Appeal Committee which is formed by virtue of Federal Law No 17 of 2002 on regulation and protection of industrial property of patents, fees, and industrial designs.		500		1,000
108	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 2nd year).		400		800
109	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 3rd  year).		420		840
110	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 4th  year).		440		880
111	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 5th  year).		460		920
112	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 6th year).		480		960
113	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 7th  year).		500		1,000
114	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 8th  year).		520		1,040
115	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 9th year).		540		1,080
116	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 10th year).		560		1,120
117	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 11th  year).		580		1,160
118	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 12th year).		600		1,200
119	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 13th  year).		620		1,240
120	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 14th  year).		640		1,280
121	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 15th year).		660		1,320
122	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 16th  year).		680		1,360
123	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 17th  year).		700		1,400
124	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 18th year).		720		1,440
125	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 19th  year).		740		1,480
126	Annual Progressive Fees for protection documents and applications related thereto, as of the second year (Following the date of submission of the application), till expiration of protection (for the 20th year).		760		1,520
127	Additional fees in case of accepting payment of annual progressive fees within 30 days from expiration of year of payment.		200		400
128	Registration of protection application for industrial property of patents.		1000		2,000
129	Application for correcting or amending data of protection document of industrial property for patents.		200		400
130	Renewal of period of protection document of industrial property for drawings and industrial designs.		1,000		2,000
131	Assignment registration of protection document of industrial property for patents.		400		800
132	Application for registration of Know-How or license contact.		200		400
133	Application to amend or renew Know-How or license contact.		100		200
134	Annual subscription in Industrial Property Journal		600
135	Request for copy of Industrial Property Journal		50
136	Change of registration agent		1,000
137	Technical Search in Industrial Property Department in the Ministry		1,000
138	Inquiring about application status		200		400
139	Transfer of patent		500		1,000
140	Restoration of application after being cancelled/fortified		1,500		3,000
141	Application of temporary protection for patents in local or international exhibitions.		500		2,000
Commercial and Foreign Companies
142	Announcement of incorporation of a joint stock company.			1,000
143	Publishing official deeds of joint stock companies and companies limited by shares.			20,000
144	Publishing of amendment of official deeds of joint stock companies.			2,000
145	Publishing official deed of limited liability company.			3,000
146	Publishing official deed of partnerships or limited partnership.			2,000
147	Publishing any amendment of official deeds for the commercial companies.			1,000
148	Approval of microfilm system for saving documents of joint stock company.			1,000
149	Application for extract of registration details for foreign companies.			100
150	Application for a certificate to whom it may concern for foreign companies.			100
151	Application for inquiry of person companies.			100
152	Attestation of person companies contract.			100
153	Application for estimation/ of in kind shares of joint stock company.			5,000
154	Application for reduction of joint stock company capital.			1,000
155	Examination of estimating the premium of joint stock company.			5,000
156	Examination of application for transfer into joint stock company.			2,000
157	Registering a joint stock company in company register.			10,000
158	Renewal of registration of a joint stock company register			5,000
159	Sale, merge or acquisition of foreign companies.			15,000
160	Opening a branch of person companies.			1,000
161	Application for licensing establishment of a branch or office of foreign company.			5,000
162	Application for registering a foreign company in foreign company register.			10,000
163	Application for amending details of foreign companies register.			2,000
164	Renewal of registration of foreign company in foreign companies register.			10,000
165	Application for examining incorporation of joint stock company.			5,000
166	True copy of all transactions.			100
167	To whom it may concern certificate for joint stock companies.			200
Certificates of Origin for National products
168	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 1 to AED 1000).			20
169	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 1001 to AED 5000).			40
170	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 5001 to AED 20000).			60
171	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 20001 to AED 40000).			80
172	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 40001 to AED 100000).			100
173	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting from (AED 100001 to AED 500000).			200
174	Certificate of origin for national products, to be charged for invoices amounting exceeding (AED 500000).			400
175	Printing an amended certificate of origin in lieu of a certificate of origin, which fees have been paid.			40