📜 Cabinet Approves Expanded Eligibility Criteria for Patent Associates

• Regulatory Update: The Cabinet of Ministers approved submitting amendment regulations to Parliament to expand eligibility criteria for patent licensing associates. • Expanded Qualifications: Under the revised rules, individuals holding a first degree or higher educational qualifications in specialized technical fields, such as engineering and science, can now be appointed as patent associates alongside legal professionals. • Legal Framework: The changes amend Order 58 of the Intellectual Property Regulations No. 01 of 2006, grounded in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, which governs associate recognition and administrative procedures under the Intellectual Property Director General. • Context & Next Steps: Proposal submitted by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; amendments (Gazette No. 2500/15) await final parliamentary approval to support technical expert involvement in intellectual property management.