The Libyan Trade Mark Office (TMO) has recently announced various changes which are of importance to brand owners with trade marks in the country.

1. A resolution made in November 2024 and active from 1 January 2025 increases the renewal fees for foreign owners of Libyan trade marks to USD2000 per year, a total of USD20,000 for the 10-year term. This is a very significant increase and will likely result in some brand owners choosing not to renew marks in Libya or instead re-filing marks (with the associated loss of the earlier filing date).
2. In early January 2025 notification was given by the TMO of the cancellation of any trade mark applications filed between 2 April and 2 September 2024, a period when the TMO operations were suspended. Applicants who filed marks during this time will need to re-file these applications, which may impact the priority date for these marks.
3. A few days ago the TMO announced a new suspension of acceptance of new applications from 5 March until 10 April 2025. New marks cannot be filed during this time, although other operations including oppositions and renewals will continue. The suspension is to allow the TMO to process a backlog of work. Applicants intending to file Libyan marks during this period should take advice on how they can obtain the earliest possible filing date on the resumption of acceptance of applications and whether to use the new system at this time.

The MARQUES International Trade Mark Law and Practice Team are monitoring these developments and will provide updates if the situation changes.

Written by Jess Le Gros, a member of the Team.