News - November 2026
- UAE Announces Fee Exemptions for Industrial Property
- EAPO Starts Processing Hague Applications: Useful Information
- AI-Powered Advanced Search Arrives in the International Designs Bulletin
- Changed PCT fees from 1 December 2026 due to currency adjustments
- EPO publishes first implementing measures for fully digital patent granting process ahead of 1 April 2027 transition
- Qatar: QDR Announces Updated Policies and Transition to New Registry System
- USPTO Makes WIPO Madrid e-Filing the Default Option for Filing International Trademark Applications
- Locarno Classification to be Implemented for Industrial Designs in Bahrain
- China Updates Trademark Law to Embrace Digital Era and Strengthen Use-Based Protections
1 UAE Announces Fee Exemptions for Industrial Property
DUBAI – The UAE has introduced targeted fee exemptions for industrial property services to support eligible innovators and lower barriers to intellectual property protection. Effective September 14, 2026, Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026 provides full fee waivers across 29 industrial property services, including patents, utility certificates, industrial designs, and integrated circuit layout designs, for student inventors and People of Determination.
Highlighted by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the initiative aims to empower young researchers, students, and persons with disabilities to bring their ideas to market with fewer financial obstacles. By easing the cost of IP protection, the government aims to foster innovation across education, technology…
Source URL:- https://www.agip.com/News/en/news/23628
2 EAPO Starts Processing Hague Applications: Useful Information
The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
· The Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) accepts Hague applications filed either directly with the International Bureau of WIPO or indirectly through the EAPO.
Applicants are advised to check the requirements of the national legislation of their country of origin, as restrictions on filing applications abroad may apply.
· Where an international application is filed through the EAPO, it will be transmitted to the International Bureau of WIPO within six months…
Source URL:- https://www.eapo.org/en/eapv-news-en/eapo-starts-processing-hague-applications-useful-information/
3 AI-Powered Advanced Search Arrives in the International Designs Bulletin
Search the International Designs Bulletin in your own words
We've just made the advanced search of the International Designs Bulletin easier than ever. Thanks to a new feature powered by AI, you can now simply describe what you’re looking for in natural language and the search query will be built for you.
What's new?
Until now, running an advanced search meant building a query with field codes and operators, such as RLT=DEN AND PY>=2023 (to find registrations published in 2023 onwards) While extremely powerful, it’s not always intuitive and can get complex, especially when building large queries.…
4 Changed PCT fees from 1 December 2026 due to currency adjustments
From 1 December 2026 a new equivalent amount in PCT- search fees are established.
The new fees apply to the following:
Search fee: 21 210 SEK
Additional fee for non unity inventions: 21 210 SEK
Supplementary International Searches: 21 210 SEK….
Source URL:- https://www.prv.se/en/about-us/news/new-fees-dec-1/
5 EPO publishes first implementing measures for fully digital patent granting process ahead of 1 April 2027 transition
Following the Administrative Council’s decision in March 2026 paving the way for a fully digital and paperless patent granting process (PGP) from 1 April 2027, the European Patent Office (EPO) has published a first set of implementing decisions and an accompanying notice.
Published well in advance of their entry into force, the decisions give users clarity on the future framework and sufficient time to prepare.…
6 Qatar: QDR Announces Updated Policies and Transition to New Registry System
DOHA – The QDR domain registry has announced the publication of its updated QDR Policies, released on October 21, 2026. The changes establish a new Registry system and set a definitive transition plan for all domain name registrations and related operations.
Effective October 22, 2026, all domain name registrations and related activities are processed exclusively under the updated QDR Policies through the new Registry system. The Qatar Domain Name Registry confirmed that the previous policies no longer apply as of this date, marking a clear shift in how registrars and clients manage registrations.…
Source URL:- https://www.agip.com/News/en/news/23624
7 USPTO Makes WIPO Madrid e-Filing the Default Option for Filing International Trademark Applications
The Madrid System’s e-Filing service is now the default platform for US applicants filing new international trademark applications based on US trademark applications or registrations – replacing the USPTO’s former Trademark Electronic Application System International (TEASi).
436 international trademark applications have already been filed by US applicants through Madrid e-Filing since its soft launch on July 31, 2026.
Madrid e-Filing lets applicants:
· File online ; Communicate directly with their Office of Origin ….
8 Locarno Classification to be Implemented for Industrial Designs in Bahrain
MANAMA - The Directorate of Foreign Trade & Industrial Property, part of Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, announced that Bahrain will implement the Locarno International Classification for Industrial Designs. The new system takes effect on October 29, 2026, the date the Agreement enters into force for Bahrain.
The move marks a key step in modernizing Bahrain’s industrial property protections and aligning procedures with international standards. By adopting the Locarno Classification Bahrain will categorize industrial design .…
Source URL:- https://www.agip.com/News/en/news/23625
9 China Updates Trademark Law to Embrace Digital Era and Strengthen Use-Based Protections
BEIJING – The Chinese government has announced amendments to its Trademark Law, set to take effect January 1, 2027. The revised framework aims to modernize the trademark system for digital assets and streamline administrative procedures, signaling a significant shift toward genuine use and market goodwill.
The amendments introduce several key updates:
· Dynamic trademarks: The revised law expressly lists “dynamic marks” among registrable signs, alongside sound and other traditional elements (Art. 14). The statute does not separately list “multimedia” marks.
· National symbol restrictions: Signs resembling national symbols, government insignia, central or state bodies, and iconic government buildings are strictly barred from registration or commercial use….
Source URL:- https://www.agip.com/News/en/news/23626