On May 7, 2026, the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Law No. ZRU-1144, introducing significant amendments to the country’s intellectual property legislation. The changes affect the rules governing trademark use, the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and the grounds for early termination of trademark registrations. Overall, the amendments are aimed at strengthening the trademark protection system, eliminating legislative gaps, and improving enforcement practices. Below are the most notable changes.
1. Trademark License Agreements No Longer Constitute Trademark Use
One of the most significant amendments is the repeal of Part 2 of Article 1104 of the Civil Code, which previously provided that the mere execution of a trademark license agreement constituted use of a trademark. Following the amendment, the existence of a license agreement alone is no longer sufficient to demonstrate genuine trademark use. Trademark owners will now need to prove actual commercial use of the mark in connection with goods or services placed on the market.
SETTLE’s comments
This amendment represents an important step in addressing so-called trademark trolling. Previously, certain trademark owners could preserve their registrations by entering into purely formal licensing agreements without genuinely using their trademarks in commerce. The new approach significantly limits such practices and encourages bona fide commercial use of trademarks. It is also expected to facilitate the removal of unused trademarks from the register and reduce registrations maintained solely for blocking competitors or other abusive purposes.
2. The Ministry of Justice Will Be Able to Protect Intellectual Property Rights More Efficiently
Another important amendment concerns the enforcement powers of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Previously, certain enforcement measures aimed at protecting consumers against unfair business practices required prior approval from the Business Ombudsman. This procedural requirement has now been abolished. Instead of obtaining prior authorization, the Ministry of Justice is only required to notify the Business Ombudsman about the enforcement measures being undertaken.
SETTLE’s comments
This amendment is expected to improve the efficiency of intellectual property enforcement. By removing unnecessary administrative procedures, the Ministry of Justice will be able to respond more quickly to trademark infringements and other IP violations, ultimately providing stronger and more effective protection for rights holders.
3. The Law Now Expressly Regulates the Termination of Trademarks Owned by Dissolved or Deceased Rights Holders
The amendments also address a long-standing legislative gap concerning trademarks whose owners cease to exist. The law now expressly provides that a trademark registration may be terminated by a court where the trademark owner is a legal entity that has been dissolved without transferring its trademark rights to another person; or the trademark owner is an individual who has passed away without the trademark rights being transferred to heirs or other legal successors.
SETTLE’s comments
Although Uzbek courts had previously granted such claims based on the general provisions of civil legislation, the Trademark Law itself did not contain a specific legal basis for terminating registrations in these circumstances. The absence of an explicit provision occasionally resulted in inconsistent judicial approaches and procedural uncertainties. By incorporating this rule directly into the trademark legislation, the amendments provide greater legal certainty and are expected to promote a more consistent court practice.
Other Amendments
In addition to the key changes outlined above, Law No. ZRU-1144 introduces several other amendments of a technical and procedural nature. Among other things, the law revises certain provisions relating to official state fees and clarifies a number of procedural aspects concerning the acquisition and administration of intellectual property rights. While these amendments are less substantial, they contribute to the continued modernization of Uzbekistan’s intellectual property legislation and improve its practical application.
The amendments introduced by Law No. ZRU-1144 represent another important step in the ongoing development of Uzbekistan’s intellectual property framework. The new rules reinforce the requirement for genuine trademark use, enhance the effectiveness of government enforcement mechanisms, and eliminate several legal uncertainties that had existed in practice. Overall, the reform contributes to a more transparent, efficient, and predictable trademark protection system, strengthening the legal position of trademark owners while promoting fair competition in the marketplace.