Armenia
Armenia is a Southern Caucasian country, enjoying a central position between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Its economically developed market invites innovative approach and investment. Official implementation of electronic transactions facilitates obtaining protection and defending intellectual property rights. The national currency of Armenia is dram.
The Armenian Patent and Trademark Office conducts correspondence only in Armenian language. Any foreign applicant needs to appoint a local Patent Attorney for handling its IP matters before the Office, with several exceptions for citizens of countries that have a corresponding treaty with Armenia. The appointment can be confirmed with a copy of signed Power of Attorney when it concerns prosecution of inventions, utility models and industrial designs. However, the original Power of Attorney is always required for trademark-related matters.
Average examination timeframe by the Armenian Patent and Trademark Office is about 12 months for inventions, about 3 months for utility models, and about 4 months for trademarks and industrial designs. Trademark prosecution involves publishing the trademark for oppositions by third parties.
When an IP-related matter proceeds to court, they are considered by an administrative court or the general jurisdiction court, depending on the case. An attorney well-versed in the local court practice will ensure protection of the client’s best interest in any matter.
Services
- Inventions or utility models, 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
- Computer programs