On August 8, 2025, the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Law No. 1080 “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan.” The law is aimed at simplifying registration procedures and significantly strengthening the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights, including brands, copyrighted works, inventions, and other IP objects.
Criminal liability for IP violations
The key change is the introduction of criminal liability for the unlawful use of trademarks, service marks (brands), geographical indications, appellations of origin, trade names, inventions, utility models, industrial designs, integrated circuit topographies, plant varieties, and copyright-protected works.
Criminal liability applies only in cases where the violations are committed on a large scale. Importantly, the law stipulates that if the violation is remedied within 30 days from the date of detection, criminal liability will not be applied.
In addition, the law strengthens administrative liability by:
- introducing separate administrative liability for infringing plant variety rights;
- increasing fines for violations of IP rights.
This means infringers now face both significant fines and potential criminal sanctions. The law also provides for the seizure of counterfeit goods from circulation at the offender’s expense, and justice authorities have been granted the power to inspect and arrest such goods.
Simplified registration in Uzbekistan
The law removes several bureaucratic barriers:
- no longer requiring proof of payment of state fees;
- eliminating the requirement to submit a declaration of non-use for registering plant varieties;
- introducing automatic issuance of IP protection documents in electronic form.
The shift to a digital model and the reduction of paper-based processes will allow companies to register their brands and developments more quickly and conveniently, which is especially important for businesses entering the Uzbek market.
Reduced examination periods for IP
Applications Applications for registration of computer programs and databases will now be reviewed for compliance within 10 days. Examination of designations for appellations of origin or the right to use them has been reduced from 7 months to 1 month. These shortened timeframes enable businesses to secure legal protection faster and bring new products to market under registered brands, minimizing the risk of copying and unfair use.
Extended state fee payment deadline
The law introduces the possibility of extending the deadline for paying state fees by up to 6 months, subject to an additional payment of 50% of the fee amount. This measure gives bona fide rights holders more time to retain their rights in the event of financial or organizational challenges.
Significance of the reform and WTO integration
The package of measures demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a modern system of IP protection. Strict penalties, including criminal liability for serious violations, enhance enforcement, while simplified registration procedures make brand protection in Uzbekistan more accessible and faster.
These changes are not only a step toward improving national legislation but also an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO membership requires compliance with the TRIPS Agreement, which mandates the establishment of criminal liability for at least trademark and copyright infringements. The new provisions fully align with these international standards, strengthening Uzbekistan’s position in WTO accession negotiations.