The Ministry of Commerce & Industry prepared a draft law No. 17/97 amending the Industrial Property Law of 1916 and 1938. The law was adopted by the council of Ministers, passed through Parliament, and was finally approved by the House of Counselors.
The subject law has not yet been published. The law which covers patents, trademarks and designs will take effect once published.
The amendments made to the law will render it in harmony with the TRIPs Agreement and with the requirements of economic development that the world is witnessing.
The major attributes of this new law may be summarized as follows:
- Unification of the registration system.
- Protection of service marks, certification marks, geographical names, and names of origin.
