All trademark news that you might have missed last month in one convenient overview. Read up on the latest news reported by the Kluwer IP Reporter.

Assignment Center replaces EPAS and ETAS

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the replacement of the Electronic Patent Assignment System (EPAS) and Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS) with the modernised Assignment Center with effect from 5 February 2024.

Read the full story here

EUIPO introduces new GI service

Following the enactment of the Regulation on the protection of geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has introduced a new service within its Operations Department dedicated to handling GIs and other intellectual property rights.

Read the full story here

Greece upgrades back office features

With an aim to increase the operational efficiency and to make the systems more efficient, reliable and user-friendly, the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) upgraded its back-office system on 21 November 2023.

Read the full story here

Madrid Protocol fees revised for Finland

Pursuant to the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 30 January 2024 notified the revised individual fees applicable when Finland is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of an international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

Read the full story here

Madrid Protocol fees revised for Israel

Pursuant to the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization has modified the amounts of individual fees applicable when Israel is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

Read the full story here

Madrid Protocol fees revised for Norway

Under the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 18 January 2024 notified revised individual fees applicable when Norway is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

Read the full story here

Taiwan updates trademark classification terms

To ensure that all trademark examiners follow uniform standards and all examinations for similarity of goods or services are conducted in accordance with uniform rules, the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) has recently revised the designated goods and services names in line with the 2024 version of the 12th edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification).

Read the full story here

Zambia introduces new Trade Marks Act

Zambia has recently adopted a new trademark law, the Trade Marks Act of 2023, to replace its six-decade old Trade Marks Act of 1958, and the new law is expected to take effect soon pending a Commencement Order by the Minister and enabling regulations.

Read the full story here

_____________________________

To make sure you do not miss out on regular updates from the Kluwer Trademark Blog, please subscribe here.

Kluwer IP Law

The 2022 Future Ready Lawyer survey showed that 79% of lawyers think that the importance of legal technology will increase for next year. With Kluwer IP Law you can navigate the increasingly global practice of IP law with specialized, local and cross-border information and tools from every preferred location. Are you, as an IP professional, ready for the future?

Learn how Kluwer IP Law can support you.