Kurdistan-Iraq: Return to 15-Year Trademark Protection period

The Directorate of Trademarks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has officially updated its administrative enforcement policies by restoring a 15-year validity and protection period for both new trademark registrations and renewals. This shift follows a recent directive from the Kurdistan Council instructing the Trademarks office to stop enforcing the shorter 10-year term that was originally introduced under Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Order No. 80 of 2004, a regulation that was never formally ratified by the Kurdistan Parliament. By stepping away from the CPA order, the Directorate has reverted to the older framework established under the amended Trade Marks Act No. 21 of 1957. Because the regional parliament is currently suspended and unable to pass new laws, this 15-year framework stands as an active, binding administrative directive that will remain in effect until a legislative body is reinstated to make a final statutory decision.

Moving forward, all newly issued certificates of registration and renewal will explicitly reflect this restored 15-year protection period. Conversely, any certificates previously issued under the old rule will remain valid only for their stated 10-year term, though they will be fully eligible for the expanded 15-year protection period once they come up for renewal.

Tunisia: Tunisian TM office (INNORPI) Officially Launches Digitalized IP Platform and Shifts to Paperless Operations

The National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI) in Tunisia officially launched its new digitalized industrial property platform on June 24, 2026. The platform is currently live for online search functions and new application filings. Subsequent procedures, including registration, renewals, assignments, oppositions, and annuity payments, will transition fully to the online system.

As part of this transition, INNORPI will officially cease issuing physical, hard-copy registration and renewal certificates for new electronic filings. Hard-copy certificates may still be issued for cases that were already requested and are currently pending. However. moving forward, all new certificates will be issued exclusively in electronic format.

PALESTINE (GAZA): Trademark Opposition Deadlines Resumed for Gazette No. 70

The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy has officially announced the resumption of legal timeframes for trademark oppositions in the Gaza Strip, following an extended closure due to exceptional regional circumstances. To safeguard the rights of brand owners, the Ministry has designated the period from October 7, 2023, through July 2, 2026, as a formal legal suspension (force majeure). Consequently, deadlines have been frozen during this time rather than allowed to lapse. The resumption applies to Trademark Gazette No. 70, which was originally published on August 15, 2023.

  • The initial opposition period ran normally from August 15, 2023, until the suspension took effect on October 7, 2023.
  • The remaining timeframe required to complete the statutory three-month opposition window will officially resume on July 2, 2026, and run until August 11, 2026.

Please note that this directive is strictly limited to opposition procedures for Gazette No. 70. The Ministry has not yet issued updates regarding other routine operations, such as new filings, renewals, recordals, or active payment systems. We are monitoring the Registry closely for subsequent announcements regarding broader administrative operations and will provide updates as they unfold.