Gaza Trade Mark Office Resumes Operations: What Trademark Owners Need to Know
The Trade Mark Office in the Gaza Strip restarted its core functions on 26 July 2026 after nearly three years of suspension. Applications, renewals, publications and recordals are moving again.
The Registrar also waived late renewal fees for registrations that expired between 7 October 2023 and 11 August 2026. That window has closed. Ordinary late renewal fees have applied since 12 August 2026.
Where Does the Office Stand Today?
| Function | Status | What It Means |
| New applications | Operational | Deferred filings can be submitted now |
| Renewals | Operational | Standard late fees apply again |
| Publications | Operational | Reactivate trademark watching |
| Recordals | Operational | Close chain of title gaps |
| Late fee waiver | Closed 11 Aug 2026 | Penalties payable on late renewals |
| Examination and oppositions | Awaiting guidance | Do not assume old deadlines lapsed |
When Did the Waiver End?
| 7 October 2023 | Opening edge of the waiver eligibility window |
| 26 July 2026 | Office resumes applications, renewals, publications and recordals |
| 11 August 2026 | Final date to renew without late fees |
| 12 August 2026 | Ordinary late renewal fees reinstated |
What If You Missed the 11 August 2026 Deadline?
- Confirm the current position. Relief here has been extended more than once, so verify with the Registrar before assuming the waiver was final.
- Renew with the standard late fee. Where the grace period is still running, this preserves the original registration date.
- Check restoration options. A lapsed mark may be revived on evidence that the failure was outside the owner’s control.
- Search, then re-file. Publications restarted in July 2026, so clear the mark before filing fresh. Re-filing resets the filing date.
Practical caution
Grace periods and restoration grounds are set by local law and registry practice, which is still stabilising. Confirm the applicable period through a local representative before concluding a registration cannot be saved
What Remains Unclear?
The Office has not published full guidance on the backlog. Open questions cover pending examinations, outstanding Office Actions, opposition proceedings, prosecution deadlines that fell during the suspension, and applications awaiting action since 2023. Until guidance issues, treat those deadlines as potentially live and prepare instructions rather than defer them.
Why Are Filings Still Slow?
- Banking disruption. Local payment channels remain limited.
- Cross-border payment screening. Source of funds checks and correspondent bank review add days or weeks to a routine fee payment.Three years of accumulated files make turnaround unpredictable.
- Instruct early, fund the agent account in advance, and never leave a filing to the final days.
What Should You Do Next?
- Separate Gaza Strip filings from West Bank filings. The two areas run through different registries and generally need separate protection.
- Flag every registration expiring on or after 7 October 2023 and confirm whether it was renewed by 11 August 2026.
- Quantify exposure on unrenewed marks, including late fees and restoration routes.
- Clear the backlog of postponed recordals, especially assignments from group restructurings since 2023.
- Reactivate watching and confirm your local representative is appointed, funded and holds a current power of attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Core services resumed on 26 July 2026.
- The late renewal fee waiver covered expiries from 7 October 2023 and closed on 11 August 2026.
- Late renewal penalties have applied since 12 August 2026.
- Examination and opposition backlogs are unresolved.
- Payment constraints, not registry closure, are now the main practical obstacle.
Protect Your Brand at Gaza
Request a Gaza and MENA trademark portfolio review. Legacy Partners, 15 plus years of experience and an authorised representative for filings, renewals and recordals. contact info@legacypartners.global
