UAE: Mandatory Adoption of the Nice Classification 13th Edition in the UAE

The UAE Ministry of Economy has issued the Administrative Circular No. (1) of 2026, officially adopting the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification for Goods and Services as the mandatory standard for all new trademark filings starting January 27, 2026. This update supersedes the 10th Edition previously applied by the Trademark Office and introduces significant modifications to ensure international alignment. Our team is ready to assist you in checking your upcoming filings to maintain seamless protection for your intellectual property under this new framework.

UAE: Strengthening Plant Variety Protection via Federal Law No. 8 of 2025

The United Arab Emirates has significantly modernized its agricultural intellectual property framework through the enactment of Federal Law No. 8 of 2025 on the Protection of New Plant Varieties. This law replaces the 2009 statutes and aligns the UAE with international UPOV standards, establishing a National Register under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Breeders can now secure 20 years of protection for most varieties and 25 years for trees and vines, provided they meet the criteria of being new, distinct, uniform, and stable. To deter infringement, the law introduces strict enforcement measures, including potential imprisonment and administrative fines reaching AED 250,000.

Zambia: Modernizing Brand Rights under the Trade Marks Act No. 11 of 2023

Zambia’s Trade Marks Act No. 11 of 2023 came into full effect on December 31, 2025, following the issuance of Statutory Instrument No. 86 of 2025. This landmark reform repeals the 1958 legislation and introduces several critical updates for brand owners, most notably the formal registration of service marks under Classes 35 to 45 and standardizes all trademark registration and renewal terms to a uniform 10-year period from the filing date. Furthermore, the scope of protection has been expanded to include non-traditional identifiers such as sounds, smells, and geographical indications.

Nepal: Re-filing of Patent and Design Applications in Nepal

The Department of Industry (DOI) of the Government of Nepal has issued a critical mandate requiring the reconstruction of intellectual property records. This follows an incident in September 2025, where arson and vandalism at the Industrial Property Branch resulted in the destruction of physical files. To ensure the continued protection of intellectual property rights, all applicants with pending registration or renewal applications for patents and designs submitted prior to September, 2025, must take immediate action. The DOI requires the submission of a complete duplicate file to replace the records lost in the fire.

  • Notice Date: January 14, 2026.
  • Mandatory Deadline: All re-filings must be completed within 90 days of the notice, specifically by April 12, 2026.
Sudan: Resumption of Trademark Services in Khartoum

The Sudan Trademark Office has officially returned to its headquarters in Khartoum. This move marks the end of the temporary transition period where the TMO was operating out of Port Sudan. However, the TM office is maintaining the same temporary protocols that were established during its tenure in Port Sudan (previous circular).

Any legal deadlines that expired during the office transition period are officially extended. These deadlines will now fall on the first full business day of the Trademarks Office, which is Sunday, February 1, 2026.

For any further information on the above, please contact JAH Intellectual Property at info@jahcoip.com