Here Comes A New Myanmar Trademark Law!
New Myanmar Trademark Law
Myanmar’s new Trademark Law has nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day, but it will enter into force on April 1st regardless.
Phase 2 of the soft-opening period also begins on April 1st, 2023. It will last until the Grand Opening of the Intellectual Property Office, which is expected to take place in April or May 2023.
I’ve heard that Myanmar is a fun place. At the PTO grand opening, they’ll probably serve cake, balloons, and other fun stuff, maybe a bouncy house for the kids. Or not.
The Ministry of Commerce has set the official filing and registration fees for Myanmar trademarks at 300,000 Kyats (approximately USD 143/EUR 134) per class. They have to pay for the bouncy house somehow.
Anything You Can Do, I can Do Better
The USPTO recently committed to an electronic patent grant process, announcing the transition to eGrants on April 18.
Coincidentally, the Chinese Patent Office (CNIPA) announced earlier this year that they were fully implementing electronic patent certificates as of February 7th.
Applications filed electronically can be downloaded through the patent processing system, and applications filed by paper can be downloaded “in accordance with the method notified in the Notification on Obtaining the Electronic Patent Certificate.” Put one in the win column for China.
Lisbon agreement enters force in Ivory Coast
The Geneva Act of the Lisbon agreement entered into force in Côte d’Ivoire (it’s much fancier to use the French name) on March 15th. Not to be confused with the Geneva Convention, the Geneva Act of the Lisbon agreement covers protection for geographic indications, like Champagne or Cognac (more French).