The Jordanian Government was a little greedy in raising their trademark registration fees, and seemed to have forgotten that in a World Wide Recession, many multi-national corporations can simply forgo Jordanian rights. After successful lobbying from Jordanian trademark attorneys, the Jordanian Government has now decided to reduce the fees from US$930 to US$645. We note, however, that this is still more than the fee for filing a mark in one class in Israel.
Meanwhile the Egyptian “Ministry of Scientific Research, Academy of Scientific Research & Technology, Patent Office” has issued Declaration number 3 in respect of payment of annuities for the PCT national phase applications in which an extension of the time till March 31, 2010 was granted instead of 31 December 2009. The due date for annuities shall be calculated from the filing date of the international application.
We note that in Israel, annuities are only due, post allowance. Thus, this seems better value for money as deferring costs is a saving, and the costs will only be incurred if the application is allowed.
We further note that this past week, the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks in Israel has issued his 79th Circular. His predecessors, though not quite as productive in this regard as he is, also issued some Circulars.
Not only is filing patents and trademarks in Israel generally cheaper than in Jordan and Egypt, and, we presume, more valuable due to more advanced industrial capability and the higher purchasing power of the inhabitants, but the Egyptians will have to start issuing circulars at a frenetic rate to catch up with the reforming power of Dr. Meir Noam!
We look forward to inviting our Jordanian and Egyptian colleagues to join us in using IP to promoting peace and security throughout the region.
