Iran

We are proud to announce that Rezvanian International has contributed to the second edition of The Global Legal Post’s prestigious Law Over Borders Comparative Guide to Arbitration. This comprehensive online resource offers an in-depth overview of the current complexities of international arbitration, authored by leading practitioners across the globe. The guid covers a wide range of key aspects of the arbitral process, including the validity of arbitral agreements, rules for constituting an arbitral tribunal, and the jurisdictional support available from local courts. It also provides detailed insights into procedural minimum requirements, the validity and enforcement of awards, post-award procedures, and the enforcement of foreign judgments. Additionally, it discusses professional and ethical standards and approaches to third-party funding in various jurisdictions. Notably, the second edition expands to include sections on specialized arbitration topics such as sovereign immunity. With 17 detailed chapters, this guide is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of international arbitration. We were truly honoured to author the chapter on Iran. Many thanks to our authors, Dr. Oveis Rezvanian, Managing Partner of Rezvanian International, and Mr. Kamyar Oladi, for their efforts.

 On April 27, 2025, Iran officially approved the Law on the Accession of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks. This legislation marks a significant milestone in Iran's intellectual property landscape.   Originally adopted in 1973 and amended in 1985, the Vienna Agreement introduced a global classification system—the Vienna Classification—that categorizes marks containing or comprising figurative elements based on their shape. The system aims to streamline trademark searches and reduce the need for extensive reclassification during cross-border document exchanges. Signatory countries may adopt the Vienna Classification either as their primary or a subsidiary system, allowing them to continue using their national classifications alongside the international standard. Under this agreement, designated offices are required to include classification numbers—corresponding to specific categories, divisions, and sections—in official documents and publications related to mark registration for the figurative components of marks.   A trademark may feature a figurative element rather than words. Previously, to search for trademarks in Iran, applicants relied on words and phrases within marks or conducted searches through the Nice Classification for goods and services. However, following this legislative approval, applicants will now be able to search trademarks based on their figurative elements.   This development demonstrates Iran’s commitment to aligning its intellectual property framework with international standards. Going forward, alongside the Nice Classification for goods and services, Iran’s Intellectual Property Office will also apply the Vienna Classification for the figurative elements of marks. This classification system aims to simplify the registration and search processes for trademarks featuring logos, symbols, or other graphic elements.

Recently, Iran has enacted the Law on Protection of Industrial Property, marking a significant advancement in the field of intellectual property (IP) rights.Prior to this, the Act on Patents, Industrial Designs, and Trademarks Registration (2008) served as the cornerstone of intellectual property rights in Iran, particularly in industrial sectors. It is important to note that the executive by-law of the new Law has not yet been enacted; therefore, the executive by-law of the previous Act remains in effect until then. The Law on Protection of Industrial Property introduces several innovative features not present in the earlier Act. Notably, it provides protection for utility models for the first time, allowing them to be registered in Iran. Additionally, this Law addresses unfair competition and includes provisions for the protection of trade secrets, which were previously lacking. These innovations represent a significant step forward in enhancing intellectual property rights in Iran.

In line with our commitment to social responsibility, we are proud to announce that Rezvanian International will host the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Pre-Moot in Tehran from March 5 to March 10, 2025. After three years without hosting the Vis Pre-Moot in Iran, we are excited to bring these competitions back once again. The Vis Pre-Moot provides an excellent opportunity for teams to prepare for the 32nd Vis Moot, taking place in Vienna and Hong Kong. Participants will gain valuable insights and improve their skills in international commercial arbitration. We are excited to share that teams from around the world, including India, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Vietnam, Ghana, Georgia, and more, as well as arbitrators of different nationalities, have already registered for this pre-moot. We look forward to creating an incredible experience for all teams and equipping them with the tools they need for success.