Despite continuing conflict in Libya, the government is finally taking some steps to ensure proper protection for trade marks in the country.

This is brought about by the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade issuing new executive regulations on 17 January 2024, which introduced definitions and provisions to clarify certain issues with the Trademark Act of 2010. These regulations also provide for an increase to the official fees payable for trade mark services.

Further, the Trade Marks Office has also started publishing trade mark applications again, with the last journals having appeared almost 10 years ago (in 2015). We were advised that 6,236 trade marks were published on the Trade Marks Office’s Electronic Publication Platform on 1 February 2024 and another 6,600 are scheduled to be published soon.

The opposition period has been shortened to 30 days from the 60 days provided for previously, and this period is not extendable. Trade mark owners wishing to oppose any published trade marks are therefore advised to take action as soon as possible.

We welcome these developments as Africa continues to evolve and grow.