Kazakhstan Adopts Significant Amendments to Intellectual Property Legislation

📎 Full text of the law:
https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=35888630

On November 24, 2025, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed Law No. 233-VIII “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Intellectual Property Issues.”

The amendments introduce important procedural reforms affecting trademark examination, opposition procedures and certain aspects of administrative practice. The key changes, entering into force on January 25, 2026, include the following:

📌 1. Accelerated examination timelines
Upon request, a preliminary examination may be completed within 10 business days (instead of the standard 1-month term).
The full examination may now be conducted within 3 months from the filing date (previously 4 months).

📌 2. Longer opposition period
The period for filing an opposition against a trademark application following publication is extended from 1 month to 2 months.

📌 3. New basis for staying the prosecution of an application
Prosecution may be suspended not only due to an opposition filed with the Appeal Board, but also in connection with the initiation of court proceedings by any party.

📌 4. Expanded ability to request postponement of opposition hearings
A request for postponement may now be submitted by any party to the proceedings, not solely by the opponent.

💡 We will continue to monitor the implementation of these amendments and provide further updates as additional guidance becomes available from the Kazakh IP authorities.