New trade mark law came into force in Tunisia on 9 June 2015
11 September 2015
We have recently learned from WIPO Lex News that the Decree No. 2015-303 of 1 June 2015, establishing the Procedures for the Registration of and Opposition to the Registration of Trade Marks and Service Marks, as well as the Procedures concerning Recording in the National Register of Marks came into force on 9 June 2015 and repealed Decree No. 2001-1603 of 11 July 2001.
This decree introduces the following changes:
- Electronic filing of trade mark applications
- It sets out the provisions governing a trade mark registration filed through the Madrid Protocol
- The period within which the applicant can submit observations has been extended from 45 days to 2 months from notice of opposition
- A fixed maximum period of 8 months from the date of submission of observations for the applicant and opponent to attempt conciliation in the trade mark opposition
- The period during which the opponent may furnish proof of use of the trade mark which is under opposition has been extended from 1 month to 2 months
- Definition of a period of 2 months for the applicant to submit the missing documents to request recording of a change of names, addresses, ownership, assignment, etc., in the National Register of Marks
By Claire Brown, Trademark Attorney