President Tokayev Signs Law Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection

Astana, The Gulf Observer: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday signed into law a set of amendments and additions to the country’s legislation on intellectual property, the Akorda press service reported. The new law aims to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights and introduce several key measures to modernize the regulatory framework.

According to the report, one of the significant provisions ensures that individuals with visual impairments can freely access published works without requiring the author’s permission or payment of remuneration. This access may be provided through public performance, distribution, or making the works publicly available, aligning national legislation with international standards on accessibility.

The law also introduces an accelerated trademark registration procedure. Currently, registration takes around seven months; however, the new legislation establishes a paid option that reduces this timeframe to several months, allowing trademark owners to enter the market more quickly. Additionally, the deadline for filing objections to trademark registration has been extended from one month to two months, providing stakeholders more time for review and response.

Further, the amendments authorize state oversight of the use of copyrighted works and related rights. Justice authorities will now be able to conduct unscheduled inspections based on applications submitted by authors and rightsholders, strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

Another notable feature is the implementation of a unified digital platform for collective rights management, aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency in the administration of intellectual property rights.

The full text of the law will be published in the press, in accordance with standard legislative procedures.