Over the past decades the role of intellectual property in the global economy has grown significantly. Russia is, undoubtedly, a state of rich intellectual resources with proud heritage of the Soviet science and engineering. As a result of the Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) when customs and other barriers will be removed, its intellectual property, in fact, will be regarded as competitive goods.
According to Decree No. 781 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated September 15, 2011 (“Decree”), local and foreign applicants shall be charged equally for patent and trademark registration. The new rates will become effective from August 22, 2012, which is the date when the Russian Federation will officially become a WTO full-fledged member.
Thus, starting from August 22, 2012, for the trademark search, the State fees will increase by about 30 per cent compared to the existing fees. For the patent matters, however, for local applicants, the fee rates will increase, while foreign applicants will pay less than they pay now (the fees reduced by 50-70 per cent in a number of positions).
In addition, the Decree provides certain discounts for electronic filing (15 per cent) and for small businesses (50 per cent).
Although regarded as expensive for national applicants, the equal rates may contribute to the development and expansion of cooperation between local and foreign high-tech companies.
Additional information on judicial practice and means of IP protection is available on the LEGALMAX
official websites: www.legalmaxlaw.com and www.legalmax.uz
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