Kuwait: Increase in Official Fees for all IP Matters

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has informed that the official fees for most intellectual property transactions will be increased. The measure will most likely become effective as from the 21st of December, 2015.

The increase will affect all trademark, patents and industrial design applications filed after the aforementioned date as well as retroactively for pending applications.

The decision has not been officially announced yet, the announcement will most probably be published in the Official Gazette on the 21st of December this year.

Kuwait is one of the less expensive GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries in which to secure trademark registrations but that may well be about to end if the Office decides to advance with the increase which would translate in a doubling that would dramatically increase fees 19 times the current value.

It is highly advisable that our clients accelerate their filing applications in order to avoid the increased fees in publication and registration costs.