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| Intellectual Property |
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Kuwait is a member of the World Trade Organization and a signatory to the
Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. As such, it
is under an obligation to pass intellectual property laws meeting the minimum
standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights set
forth in this agreement. Kuwait is also a member of the World Intellectual Property
Organization.
Law No.4 governs patents in Kuwait. In order to obtain patent protection in
Kuwait, the inventor must first register the patent with the Patents Office at the
Trademark Control Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Article
4). The law permits foreigners who are nationals of or live in countries that give
Kuwait reciprocity, as well as companies and other juristic personalities, to
register patents in Kuwait (Article 5). Once registered, the owner of the patent is
vested with the right to use that patent by any means for 15 years from the date
of the application (Articles 10 and 12). The patent may be renewed for an
additional five-year term (Article 12).
Similarly, industrial designs must be registered in the Industrial Designs and
Models Register and an application for registration is to be submitted to the
Trademark Control Department (Articles 36 and 37). The registration is valid for
five years and renewable for two additional consecutive terms (Article 42).
The Commercial Code (Law No. 68 for 1980) governs trademark registration and
the penalties for infringement. Any person may apply to have their trademark
registered at the Register of Trademarks (Article 64). Once the application is
approved, the trademark will be protected for ten years, and may be renewed for
a similar term (Article 77).
Law No. 64 governs copyrights and provides copyright protection and penalties
for copyright infringement. |
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| Law Decree on Enhancing Kuwait Financial Stability |
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