Iraq: Trademarks Office Introduces Official Fees for 11th Edition Nice Reclassifications
The Iraqi Trademarks Office has officially updated its 11th Edition Nice Classification (NCL) regulations by introducing mandatory official fees for processing all reclassification requests. Effective July 20, 2026, the official fee for an existing registered trademark will represent the difference between the initial final registration fees paid under the sub-class system and the current registration fees required under the 11th Edition, calculated as per each item of goods or services. For pending applications transitioning at the certificate issuance stage, standard registration certificate fees apply.
To illustrate how this calculation works for existing registered marks, suppose a trademark was originally registered under the sub-class system, and the official registration fee paid at that time was $200. Under the newly implemented 11th Edition schedule, the updated registration fee for those same goods/services is calculated at $350. Then the official government fee required to process the reclassification request will be $150. This official fee amount will then be added to the applicable professional service fee for processing the request.
Saudi Arabia: Accession to the Madrid Protocol for International Trademark Registration
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially joined the Madrid System. On July 8, 2026, the Government of KSA deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol which will officially enter into force on October 8, 2026. With this accession, the number of Contracting Parties of this treaty and members of the Madrid Union is now 117. Furthermore, this expansion brings the Madrid System’s geographical reach to 133 countries.
Procedural Declarations and Notifications:
As part of its accession, Saudi Arabia established several specific operational frameworks. The standard time limit of one year to notify a provisional refusal of protection is replaced by 18 months. Additionally, a provisional refusal resulting from an opposition may be notified after the expiry of this time limit.
Regarding official costs, Saudi Arabia wants to receive an individual fee when it is designated in an international application, in a designation subsequent to an international registration, and in respect of the renewal of an international registration where Saudi Arabia has been designated. This individual fee will be collected instead of a share in the revenue produced by the supplementary and complementary fees. The precise amounts of the individual fee indicated by the Government of Saudi Arabia will be the subject of a separate Information Notice.
UAE: Accession to the Locarno Agreement on Industrial Designs
On July 6, 2026, the United Arab Emirates officially deposited its instrument of accession to the Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The treaty will officially enter into force for the UAE on October 6, 2026.
By joining Locarno, the UAE aligns its design protection framework with global IP standards, providing significant structure and clarity for local and international rights holders alike.
Gaza: Extension of Deadlines for Trademark Renewals up till 11 August 2026
As the Trademarks Office in Gaza is gradually resuming operations, the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy has issued a new administrative circular stipulating that any trademark that became due for renewal during its non-operational period that extends from October 7, 2023 can still be renewed with the standard fees without incurring any additional late payment fees. However, starting August 12, 2026, this temporary waiver will officially end, and standard late fees will once again be calculated and collected in full. It is worth noting that under Palestinian trademarks law, TM owners typically have a one-month grace period to renew an expired mark by paying a late fee payment. In practice, however, a trademark can usually still be renewed after this grace period provided the registrar has not officially issued a cancellation order. The Registrar only issues this order after delivering a mandatory notice of cancellation to the owner or agent on record and receiving no renewal request within one month of that notice.