In Uzbekistan, the protection of intellectual property rights will be simplified

Uzbekistan Intends to Simplify the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan has approved in the third reading a bill providing for the improvement of the system of legal protection and defense of intellectual property.

The document is designed to ease administrative procedures, expand the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs, and improve legal conditions for domestic and foreign investors.

One of the main changes relates to property rights to works and software products created by employees in the course of their employment duties.

The bill proposes to repeal the rule under which property rights to works made for hire automatically transfer to the author after ten years. Instead, it is proposed that the procedure for allocating such rights be determined based on agreements between the parties.

Opportunities for appealing decisions of state expertise in the field of intellectual property are also being expanded. Persons who disagree with the results of the expertise will be able to apply not only to the Appeal Board, but also directly to court.

Another change concerns the state fee for maintaining the validity of patents for inventions, utility models, industrial designs, and selection achievements. The bill provides for the possibility of its advance payment, which should simplify the fulfillment of relevant obligations for right holders.

According to the developers, these changes will allow for the refinement of mechanisms for the legal protection of intellectual property, create more predictable conditions for domestic and foreign investors, stimulate innovative activity, and increase the country's investment attractiveness.

Following its approval in the third reading, the bill was sent for consideration to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.