Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis have adopted at first reading a draft law developed by the Ministry of Justice aimed at improving the system for the legal protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

The draft law proposes the following key amendments and additions:

1️⃣ Regulation of economic rights to works created in the course of employment. The draft proposes abolishing the existing provision under which, 10 years after a work is made public, the economic rights automatically revert to the author, regardless of the terms of the agreement. Instead, the parties would determine the arrangements for these rights by mutual agreement.

2️⃣ Improving the procedure for challenging state examination decisions concerning intellectual property. Individuals and legal entities who disagree with decisions made following the state examination of intellectual property objects would be granted the alternative right to appeal directly to the courts.

3️⃣ Introducing the option of advance payment of state fees for maintaining patents in force. The draft proposes allowing such fees to be paid voluntarily in advance.

These amendments and additions aim to strengthen the effective protection of intellectual property rights, simplify administrative procedures, and create a favorable legal environment for businesses and investors.