May 15, 2018

United States Sanctions on Iran and Trademark Rights

International Trademark Association Bulletin
Paul F. Kilmer

After President Donald Trump announced his decision to cease the United States' participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in relation to Iran's nuclear program in May 2018 and discussed reimposing certain sanctions on Iran, the International Trademark Association (INTA) ran an inquiry into whether or not U.S. persons and entities could continue to protect their trademarks and other intellectual property (IP) rights in Iran.

Holland & Knight Partner and Vice Chair of the INTA Emerging Issues Committee Paul Kilmer summarized the consensus of the agencies contacted—which included the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Department of State, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. According to them, the sanctions waiver allowing for protection of IP rights in Iran remains in effect.

READ: United States Sanctions on Iran and Trademark Rights

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