Kuwait Trademark Information

Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is located in the Middle East/Southwestern Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia in the south and Iraq in the north and lies on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf. The population is estimated at 3,520,000 with a GDP of $205.83 billion.

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly.

Trademarks are assigned through the Patent & Trade Marks Department under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Kuwait is not a member of the Madrid Protocol. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.

In accordance with Islamic mores, the Trademark Law does not protect trademarks or service marks in classes 32 and 33 relating to alcoholic beverages and pork.