New amendments to the Law on Patents, aligned with international standards, have officially entered into force in Azerbaijan. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President Ilham Aliyev has signed the relevant decree to implement these legislative changes.
According to the document, the procedures for filing applications, registration, and the examination of inventions, utility models, and industrial designs will be significantly streamlined. A key highlight of the reform is the reduction of the examination period, which currently stands at 12 months. The new regulations aim to increase the flexibility of services provided to both legal entities and individuals, ensuring a more rapid and efficient patenting process.
The legislation also introduces a robust legal framework for the payment of fair royalties to authors who create inventions or industrial designs based on employer assignments. Under the new rules, authors are entitled to receive at least 50 percent of the remaining funds as a royalty after the employer's costs for obtaining and maintaining the patent are deducted. Furthermore, foreign applicants will now be able to conduct several procedures by applying directly to Azerbaijan's national patent office.
These amendments are designed to align Azerbaijan's industrial property legislation—covering inventions, trademarks, and geographical indications—with the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). By modernizing the intellectual property framework, the government expects to boost patent activity, improve the socio-economic status of inventors, and enhance Azerbaijan's standing in the Global Innovation Index.
Intellectual property rights protection remains a priority for the Republic of Azerbaijan as it seeks to diversify its economy and foster a knowledge-based environment. These reforms follow a series of initiatives by the Cabinet of Ministers to integrate the national economy into the global market while protecting the rights of local and international innovators.
