Businesses seeking trademark and patent protection in Central Asia will face rising costs in Uzbekistan after authorities confirmed increases in official intellectual property fees linked to a higher national Base Calculation Rate (BCR).

The development was highlighted by Mikhailyuk, Sorokolat & Partners (MSP), which warned applicants to factor the changes into upcoming filing and portfolio management plans.

According to MSP, Uzbekistan’s presidential decree increasing the BCR will take effect on September 1, 2026. Because many official IP fees are calculated using multiples of the BCR, the move automatically increases filing and maintenance costs across the country’s IP system.

The overall increase is approximately 6.8 percent. MSP noted that the fee for filing a trademark application in a single class will rise from Som2.472 million (US$206) to Som2.64 million (US$220), while patent application fees and substantive examination charges will also increase.

Although fee increases may appear administrative, the changes may have implications for filing and portfolio management decisions, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises and foreign companies managing large regional trademark portfolios.

Central Asia is an increasingly important market for international brand owners, particularly as governments continue to develop their legal and institutional frameworks for protecting intellectual property. As businesses expand across the region, even modest regulatory changes can affect long-term filing strategies.

MSP urged applicants to review filing plans before the changes take effect and noted that inaccurate fee calculations could create processing delays. The firm’s guidance reflects the practical importance of accounting for fee changes when managing IP protection across multiple jurisdictions.

The Uzbekistan development also illustrates a broader regional trend toward modernization of intellectual property infrastructure. Across Central Asia, authorities have continued to introduce reforms affecting intellectual property systems.

While fee increases rarely generate headlines, the latest change illustrates how adjustments to IP systems can affect businesses managing protected rights. For companies expanding into Central Asia, the latest changes reinforce the need for careful budgeting and early filing decisions.

- Asia IP