The New Industrial Property Act in Namibia: what has changed?
The new Industrial Property Regulations were finally published in the Namibian Government Gazette on the 1st day of June, 2018 and the law came into effect two months after, on the 1st of August.
The Act means to repeal the Trade Marks in South West Africa Act, dated 1973, introducing new provisions for trademarks, patents and industrial designs.
The new legal frame has been long anticipated and concerns several changes in what relates Industrial Property.
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan joins Madrid Protocol
On March 26, the General Director of WIPO announced with satisfaction the adherence of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Madrid Protocol.
The Madrid system makes possible for a trademark to be registered by any applicant through a single application in all countries that are part of this agreement.
Thailand joins the Madrid Protocol
Madrid System makes possible for any trademark owner to register the trademark up to 115 territories through a single application.
By adhering to the Protocol, starting on November 7 of 2017, trademark owners in Thailand will be able to designate all the country members of the Madrid Protocol through a single application, making their Intellectual Property assets to become protected on the remaining 98 members of the Protocol.
Brunei joins the Madrid Protocol
Past October 6th, 2016, the Government of Brunei Darussalam deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of marks. The Protocol will enter into force in respect to this jurisdiction January 6th, 2017.
The Madrid Protocol allows trademark owners to seek multi-jurisdictional protection of trademarks, through a single application proceeding, reducing costs and bureaucracy.
Algeria Joins Madrid Protocol
As from the 31st of October, 2015 trademark applicants in Algeria will be able to make better use of the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks. The Algerian government placed its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol with the Director General of The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on the 31st of July this year. This proves beneficial to trademark owners in Algeria as they will now gain full access to the jurisdictions covered by the Madrid Protocol for International trademark protection.