The draft legislation proposes updating the rules governing intellectual property rights, including ownership of works created as part of employment duties or under an employer’s assignment.
The provisions cover literary works, screenplays, music, choreography, audiovisual productions, architecture and design. The bill would establish a contractual framework for regulating property rights to such works and abolish the existing provision under which those rights automatically revert to the author after 10 years.
The draft also seeks to expand access to judicial protection. People and businesses challenging decisions made by the state examination authorities responsible for intellectual property would be able to appeal directly to a court, in addition to filing a complaint with the Appeals Council.
Another proposed change would allow patent holders to pay state fees in advance to maintain the validity of patents for inventions, utility models, industrial designs and plant varieties.
The mechanism is intended to prevent patents from lapsing for technical or procedural reasons and make it easier for rights holders to maintain their intellectual property protections.
The proposed changes are expected to improve the legal framework for intellectual property, encourage innovation and make Uzbekistan more attractive to investors.
