The "Federation of U.A.E. Chambers of Commerce and Industry", organized a meeting at the Federation's Head Office in Abu-Dhabi in 29 January 2000 to discuss amendments to the GCC Patent law which was approved by the Gulf Cooperation Council in November 1999.

Mr. Mohammed Ali Al-Rashid, Director of the GCC Patent Office, made a speech about the new amended GCC Patent Law, which is expected to be effective within less than three months

Mr. Al-Rashid clarified that it is now possible (according to the new regulations) to allow for duplication between GCC patent applications, and counterpart national patent applications in any of the GCC countries. This would allow PCT-based applications, filed in the UAE for example, to be filed with the GCC Patent Office as well.

Further amendments to the law are:

1.Protection will be effective from the date of filing the application rather than the date of grant.

2.Claiming priority of another patent application is defined as 12 Gregorian months from the initial filing.

3.Payment of Annuities will have to be made at the beginning of each year with a 3-month grace period. If after 3 years the patent is not accepted then the applicant may stop payment until acceptance of the Patent. Then all previous annuities will have to be paid.

4. Use of the patent within 3 years of the grant of the patent.

Mr. Al-Rashid further explained the objectives of the GCC Patent Office, which include creating an encouraging atmosphere for investors, and providing a suitable environment for innovation and creativity in the region.

Finally, Mr. Al-Rashid introduced the GCC Patent Office's new website: www.gulf-patent-office.org.sa from which locals can download forms for filing GCC patent applications, print them out, and send them by mail to the GCC Patent Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property Bulletins

For further information you make also like to view the Intellectual Property Bulletins published monthly by Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property - IP Bulletins