Tajikistan
Tajikistan is a landlocked country in central Asia with a high potential in hydraulic power industry and mining. Currently, trade is the most prevalent sector of its economy, inviting further investment. Implementation of electronic filing system, which is currently under way, will be able facilitate obtaining protection and defending intellectual property rights. The national currency of Tajikistan is somoni.
The Tajik Patent and Trademark Office conducts correspondence only in Tajik language. Documents in Russian may also be accepted by the Office, but will require a translation into the state language within a month from the date of filing. Any foreign applicant needs to appoint a local Patent Attorney for handling its IP matters before the Office. The appointment should be confirmed with an original signed Power of Attorney. However, it is possible to start the proceedings with a copy of signed Power of Attorney and file the original at a later date.
Average examination timeframe by the Tajik Patent and Trademark Office is about 1,5 to 2,5 years for inventions and industrial designs, and about 12 to 14 months for trademarks. While there is no such IP object as utility model in Tajikistan, it is possible to obtain a minor patent for invention, with local novelty. Trademark prosecution involves publishing the trademark for oppositions by third parties.
When an IP-related matter proceeds to court, they are considered by an economic court. An attorney well-versed in the local court practice will ensure protection of the client’s best interest in any matter.
Services
- Inventions, through national patent applications or PCT entry
- Trademarks, through national trademark applications or Madrid registrations
- Industrial designs, through national applications or the Hague System
- Appellations of origin and geographical indications
- Copyright (not through the Patent Office)
- Computer programs (not through the Patent Office)