ARIPO Launches Free IP Database
The African Regional IP Organisation (ARIPO) released free online IP database. The centralised platform allows access to all filed trademark, patents and designs in all member states. The database has a collection of over 400,000 trademark applications and 1,500 designs filed across the 13 different offices. the database could be accessed through the following web address: http://regionalip.aripo.org

Saudi Arabia and US Sign MoU to Cooperate on Intellectual Property
Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) agreed to cooperate on intellectual property by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The cooperation will include exchange experiences and visits by Ip experts. The cooperation will enhance examination, processing and registration of applications for trademarks, industrial design and patents.

UAE: e-Certificates for Trademarks Registrations
As from November 27, 2017, all trademarks certificates issued by UAE Trademarks Office will be issued online. This include Trademarks Published in the Official Gazettes No. 180 onwards. All previously published trademarks will continue to have manual certificates from the Trademarks Office.

Kuwait: PCT National Entries are Accepted at Patent Office
The Patent Office of Kuwait started receiving applications for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) as from March 27, 2018. The time limit for filing a PCT application in Kuwait is 30 months from the priority date or 18 months from the PCT application filing date as announced by the Kuwait Patent Office. In order to enter the national phase, the only document required is a Power of Attorney duly legalized up to the Kuwait Consulate.

Saudi Arabia: Changes to Power of Attorney Regulations
A judicial Announcement has been issued in Saudi Arabia stating that power of attorneys issued to local representatives is valid only for five years starting from the date of issuance. The exception for the five years period is if an earlier date was stated in the the power of attorney or if it was revoked during its interim. It should be considered that Saudi Arabia official calendar is the Hijri calendar which is 10-12 days shorter than than the Gregorian calendar. online tools that converts between both calendars are widely available and could be used for the accurate calculations of the period.