PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Tajikistan

Tajikistan has established itself as a proud and active participant in several major international intellectual property agreements, underscoring its commitment to upholding global standards of innovation and protection. Since December 25, 1991, the country has been a Contracting Party to the esteemed Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the influential Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), reflecting its dedication to nurturing a strong intellectual property framework. Furthermore, Tajikistan plays a crucial role in the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures, further reinforcing its involvement in the global patent ecosystem. In addition, Tajikistan has been an integral member of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) since August 12, 1995, contributing actively to the harmonization and advancement of patent systems throughout Eurasia. This extensive network of international intellectual property affiliations underscores Tajikistan’s strategic position as a forward-thinking nation in the realm of intellectual property.

The time limits for entering the PCT national phase in Tajikistan is 30 months from the earliest priority date.

In Tajikistan, the official language for patent proceedings is Tajik (Farsi) or Russian. If the application is to be filed in any language other than these two, a translation into either Tajik or Russian must be provided. This translation is required within a strict three-month period from the date of entering the national phase in Tajikistan.

In Tajikistan, the extension or restoration of the deadline for filing the PCT national phase at the respective office is not permitted.

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application in Tajikistan includes:

• Power of Attorney: In Tajikistan, a simply signed Power of Attorney (PoA) is required if the applicant is an individual, there is no need for notarization or legalization of documents. For legal entities, the PoA must be both signed and stamped. The PoA must be submitted to the Patent Office within two months from the date of entering the national phase in Tajikistan.

The examination fee for a patent application can be reduced by 20% if an international search or an international preliminary examination report has been established, similar to the practice under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system.

This reduction is part of the procedure for PCT applications entering the national phase in Tajikistan. If you have received an international search or preliminary examination report from a recognized International Searching Authority (ISA) or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), you may be eligible for this 20% fee reduction when filing the application with the State Committee on Intellectual Property and the Development of Innovations of the Republic of Tajikistan.

In Tajikistan, under the national phase of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the substantive examination of a patent application must be requested within the non-extendable timeline of three years from the international filing date. This is the deadline for the applicant to initiate the examination process in Tajikistan.

The first renewal is paid 2 years from the date of filing to the patent office. This annuity must be paid regardless of whether the patent has been granted or not. After the first renewal fee has been paid, all subsequent renewal fees must be paid annually on the anniversary of the filing date. The due date should be the month and date corresponding to the filing date.

The standard validity term for a patent is 20 years from the filing date. For pharmaceutical patents and patents related to agrochemicals, it is possible to request an extension of the validity by an additional 5 years. If granted, a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) will be issued to extend the protection period.

Tajikistan has made remarkable strides in the global innovation landscape, with a significant improvement in its Innovation Inputs, now ranking 106th worldwide, reflecting its growing commitment to enhancing its innovation ecosystem. Even more impressively, Tajikistan excels in Innovation Outputs, outperforming its inputs in 2024, showcasing its remarkable ability to transform ideas into tangible innovations. Regionally, the country proudly holds the 9th position among the 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, asserting its competitiveness and forward momentum. On the global stage, Tajikistan ranks 23rd among 38 economies in the lower-middle-income group, underscoring its impressive progress and strong potential as an emerging innovation hub.

Over the last decade, Tajikistan experienced strong economic performance, with growth rate averaging above 7.1%. Strong growth, higher wages, and international remittances helped reduce the number of people living in poverty from 32% of the population in 2009 to an estimated 12.4% in 2022 (at the international poverty line of $3.65/day). Tajikistan has enormous growth potential due to a young and growing population, water and hydropower potential, and development in areas like agriculture and food processing, mineral resources, tourism, and more.