On 7 May 2026, Uzbekistan adopted Law introducing amendments to several legislative acts governing intellectual property rights. The changes are scheduled to enter into force on 8 August 2026.
Among other measures, the reform affects trademark regulation and the rules governing the use of registered marks, potentially increasing the risk of cancellation for trademark owners who do not actively use their brands.
New Grounds for Early Termination of Trademark Rights
The amendments to the Law “On Trademarks, Service Marks and Appellations of Origin” establish additional circumstances in which trademark protection may be terminated ahead of schedule by a court upon the application of an interested party.
Under the new provisions, a trademark registration may be cancelled if:
- the trademark owner, being a legal entity, has been liquidated; or
- the trademark owner, being an individual, has died and there are no heirs entitled to inherit the relevant rights under a will or by law.
The changes are intended to remove inactive trademark registrations from the register where no legal successor exists to maintain the rights.
Licensing No Longer Qualifies as Trademark Use
The amendments also introduce changes to the Civil Code of Uzbekistan that may have significant practical implications for trademark owners.
Under the revised rules, granting a licence to use a trademark will no longer be considered sufficient evidence of trademark use.
As a result, the mere existence of a licensing arrangement will not protect a trademark registration from cancellation on the grounds of non-use. Rights holders will need to demonstrate actual commercial use of the mark in the marketplace.
Practical Implications
Uzbek law already provides that a trademark may be cancelled if it is not used within the territory of Uzbekistan for three consecutive years without valid reasons. Such cancellation may be sought by any interested party through court proceedings.
Following the amendments, trademark owners will face stricter requirements when defending registrations against non-use claims. In particular, reliance on licence agreements alone may no longer be sufficient, making it increasingly important to document genuine commercial use of trademarks in connection with goods and services offered in Uzbekistan.
The reform reflects a broader trend in trademark law toward ensuring that registered marks serve a real commercial function rather than remaining protected solely on a formal basis.