Iraq: Summary of the Patent Registration System in Iraq

Once an application for the grant of a patent is filed, it is examined with respect to compliance with formalities and patentability provided for under the Patent Law. The Patent Office may require whatever amendments that may be necessary to bring the application into conformity with the law. In the event the applicant does not comply with the requirements of the Patent Office within a given grace period as authorized by the Registrar, a patent application will be treated as renounced.

Patent applications are examined closely as to the contents and novelty of the invention. Once an application is accepted the grant decision will be published after which the relevant letters patent will be issued. It takes at least 2 to 3 years for the letters patent to be issued after the usual acceptance process, and this involves additional costs to the applicant. Annuities are to be paid every year on the anniversary date of completing the relevant file at the Patent Office with the required documents. However, payment of annuities may not be made to the Patent Office except after the grant of the patent.

A patent is valid for fifteen years starting from the date of completing the application submitted to the Patent Office. Such a validity is subject to payment of the prescribed annual fees. All the unpaid annuities are collected from the applicant with a retroactive effect upon the grant of the patent.

The rights to a patent may be assigned or transferred through succession. The assignment of patent applications and granted patents must be made in writing. An assignment shall have no effect against third parties unless it has been published in the Official Gazette and duly entered in the relevant records of the Patent Office.

Working of patents in Iraq is an official requirement. In the event that the owner of a patented invention in Iraq does not satisfy the stipulated working requirements within three years as from the date of grant or if working the invention ceases for two consecutive years, then the patent will be subject to compulsory licensing under the provisions of the law. Patentees are not permitted to effect nominal workings of their patents.

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.

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