Middle East and North Africa region

With the Middle East recovering from its annual quota of rain (one day in Dubai, so far), we look forward to increasingly brighter days ahead in 2015.

Clyde & Co strikes gold

It has been a great start to 2015. In particular, we are pleased to report that Clyde & Co has been ranked as a Gold top tier firm in the recently published 2015 World Trademark Review, with the firm being described "a market leader in terms of the strategic quality of the advice it gives". As in previous years, Clyde & Co has more individuals ranked in Dubai than any other firm, with Rob Deans and Jon Parker being identified as 'Gold' individuals, and Joycia Young being described as "the country's most specialised and effective IP commercialisation lawyer".

In this edition's Article of the Month, we follow on from the potential concerns with the draft GCC Trade Marks Law (as discussed in our November 2014 newsletter) and shift our focus to some changes that we expect to see once it comes into force – which may well be during the course of 2015.

Market updates and insight from around the region

Click here to read all updates.

For further information, please speak to your usual contact in the Clyde & Co IP team, or email us at ip@clydeco.com.

Licensing provisions in the Draft GCC Trade Marks Law

In this month's issue, Joycia Young and Rob Deans discuss the recordal of trade mark licences in the GCC countries, and how the current system looks set to change with the expected introduction of the GCC Trade Marks Law later this year. Click here for a link to the full article.

UAE Trade Mark Gazette

The latest edition of the UAE Trade Mark Gazette was published on 1 February 2015. This month's opposition deadline is 2 March 2015.

Click here for a link to the UAE Trade Mark Gazette and further information.

If you identify any marks that are of potential concern, or if you have any queries, then speak to your usual contact in the Clyde & Co IP team, or email us at ip@clydeco.com.

The timeframe for arranging the legalisation of a Power of Attorney (which will need to be filed at the same time as any opposition) is generally around three weeks. With this in mind, please contact us as soon as possible if you identify any marks which you may wish to oppose.

Intellectual Property Newsletter - February 2015

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.