Trademark News: What Flew Under the Radar in August 2026

Stay informed with our comprehensive roundup of the past month's headlines, all neatly compiled for you in one convenient post. Catch up on the latest news reported by the Kluwer IP Reporter.

Bosnia and Herzegovina enacts new trademark law

The new Trade Marks Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina entered into force on 20 June 2026 and will start to apply fully on 20 June 2027, replacing the 2010 law and its implementing rules.

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EUIPO updates design and trademark guidance

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) adopted the 2026 edition of the Guidelines for Examination of European Union trademarks (EUTMs) and registered European Union designs (EUDs) on 30 June 2026, and the new version entered into force on 1 July 2026.

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France modernises IP procedures

The French minister responsible for the economy signed a decree on 1 July 2026 that amends 35 articles of the intellectual property code and it came into effect on 2 July 2026.

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India extends deadline for mandatory e-KYC

On 7 August 2026 the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) of India issued a public notice extending the deadline for completion of mandatory e-KYC from 9 August 2026 to 31 August 2026.

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Kurdistan extends trademark protection to 15 years

The Kurdistan Region’s Trademark Office announced on 26 July 2026 that trademark protection will now run for 15 years, with the new term applying to new applications and to pending applications without an issued certificate.

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Madrid Protocol fees revised for Kazakhstan

In accordance with the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 23 July 2026 announced the revised individual fees payable when Kazakhstan is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

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Philippines warns against fake trademark registration scam

On 26 June 2026, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued a public warning about a fraudulent trademark registration scheme.

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Saudi Arabia accedes to Madrid System

On 8 July 2026, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia acceded to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks by depositing its instrument of accession with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, thus becoming the 117th member of the Madrid System.

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Saudi Arabia launches digital customs trademark enforcement pilot

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has launched the Tahaqaq pilot, a new electronic platform for customs-based trademark enforcement against counterfeit goods.

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Sudan enforces strict trademark renewal grace period

The Registrar General of the Intellectual Property Administration in Sudan has confirmed the strict application of Article 19(3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1969, which sets a six-month statutory grace period for trademark renewals on payment of the prescribed late fee.

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Taiwan-Korea concordance table for Nice Classification

The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) has recently updated the Taiwan–Korea Concordance Table of Similar Group Codes for Goods and Services to match the 2026 version of the 13th Edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification) issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

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U.S. joins Madrid e-Filing system for trademarks

On 15 July 2026 the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) joined the Madrid e-Filing service for international trademark registrations, thus becoming the 42nd Madrid System member state to implement the Madrid e-Filing service developed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

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Vietnam adopts new IP enforcement action plan for 2026-2027

On 17 July 2026 Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1782/QD-BCT and adopted a 2026–2027 action plan for stronger administrative enforcement of intellectual property rights.

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WIPO waives evidence requirement for delay due to eMadrid disruption

On 16 July 2026 the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) experienced a temporary disruption to eMadrid and other Madrid System online tools.

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