Patent Protection in Central Asia
Currently, no statutory patent laws are in force in Central Asia, making it impossible to file patent applications. As an alternative to address this legal gap, clients are advised to publish a Cautionary Notice in local newspapers in English.
Purpose of Cautionary Notice:
• To declare ownership of an invention related to a specific matter by the inventor(s) or company.
• Although not officially registered, the notice can serve as a basis for claiming priority rights in the future when patent laws are enacted in Central Asia.
Important Note:
• The Cautionary Notice must be detailed, not brief, to be effective for future priority claims.
Basic Information for Publishing a Cautionary Notice:
1. Full name and address of the applicant(s).
2. Full name and address of the inventor(s).
3. Softcopy of the specification.
4. Softcopy of the drawings.
5. Softcopy of the claims.
6. Softcopy of the abstract.
Comprehensive Guide to Design and Domain Name Registration in Africa
In Bahrain, a design registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for one additional term of 5 years, making the total validity 15 years. To issue the registration certificate, the design must already have a home registration or any other foreign registration. The specifications must match those in the basic registration, which can be in the form of drawings or photographs showing at least three views of the design.
Applications
Applications are examined for compliance with formalities, novelty, and industrial applicability. An annual maintenance fee is required on the anniversary of the grant date, with a 6-month grace period for late payments, subject to a surcharge. Multiple-figure applications are now allowed, with up to 50 figures per application.
International Specification
The international specification of designs is not applied in Africa, and no strict novelty requirements exist. Accepted design applications are published in the Official Gazette, allowing a 30-day period for opposition by any interested party.
Design Requirements:
• A signed Power of Attorney, certified with an Apostille.
• A certified copy of the Home Registration or any foreign registration.
• Three copies of the design drawings.
• A summary description of the design.
• A certified copy of the priority document, if claiming priority.
Design Application Filing
A design application can initially be filed with a simple copy of the signed and sealed Power of Attorney bearing the official stamp of the applicant company. However, the original legalized Power of Attorney must be submitted within three months of filing the application, along with simple copies of the documents listed under points 2 and 5.
Domain Name Registration in Africa
Filing Requirements:
• A completed application form, which can be submitted by mail, email, or fax.
• A letter requesting the domain name registration, printed on official letterhead and submitted by mail or fax.
• A signed Power of Attorney, certified with an Apostille.
Comprehensive Guide to Design and Domain Name Registration in Africa</font color=white>
In Bahrain, a design registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for one additional term of 5 years, making the total validity 15 years. To issue the registration certificate, the design must already have a home registration or any other foreign registration. The specifications must match those in the basic registration, which can be in the form of drawings or photographs showing at least three views of the design.
Applications are examined for compliance with formalities, novelty, and industrial applicability. An annual maintenance fee is required on the anniversary of the grant date, with a 6-month grace period for late payments, subject to a surcharge. Multiple-figure applications are now allowed, with up to 50 figures per application.
The international specification of designs is not applied in Africa, and no strict novelty requirements exist. Accepted design applications are published in the Official Gazette, allowing a 30-day period for opposition by any interested party.
Design Requirements:</font color=white>
• A signed Power of Attorney, certified with an Apostille.
• A certified copy of the Home Registration or any foreign registration.
• Three copies of the design drawings.
• A summary description of the design.
• A certified copy of the priority document, if claiming priority.
A design application can initially be filed with a simple copy of the signed and sealed Power of Attorney bearing the official stamp of the applicant company. However, the original legalized Power of Attorney must be submitted within three months of filing the application, along with simple copies of the documents listed under points 2 and 5.
Domain Name Registration in Africa</font color=white>
Filing Requirements:</font color=white>
• A completed application form, which can be submitted by mail, email, or fax.
• A letter requesting the domain name registration, printed on official letterhead and submitted by mail or fax.
• A signed Power of Attorney, certified with an Apostille.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
Copyright Applications
1. A Power of Attorney legalized up to the Africa Consulate.
2. Three copies of the work.
3. A legalized copy of the deed of assignment, if the applicant is not the author.
REGISTRATION AND TIME FRAME
The approximate time frame for completing the registration process is 4 to 6 weeks.
