Recent developments in United States sanctions policy may warrant a reassessment of intellectual property portfolios connected to Syria.
In December 2025, the United States repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law on 18 December 2025. The repeal removes the Act’s mandatory sanctions framework and replaces it with a system based on monitoring, reporting, and periodic policy review.
While the repeal does not result in the automatic lifting of all US sanctions related to Syria, it introduces a more flexible regulatory environment that may affect how rights holders assess risk and long-term planning.
Trademark considerations
From a trademark perspective, rights holders may consider reviewing the status of existing registrations and renewals, monitoring the trademark register for potentially conflicting third-party filings, and assessing coverage for sub-brands, Arabic transliterations, and variant marks.
Patent considerations
From a patent perspective, Syria may be evaluated as part of a longer-term filing strategy, particularly for technologies related to infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, and associated sectors. Applicants may also consider national phase entry of PCT applications in line with commercial or regulatory planning. Existing patent owners may wish to confirm that granted rights remain in force, including the timely payment of annuities.
Rights holders are advised to continue monitoring regulatory developments and to assess IP strategies in coordination with applicable sanctions and compliance requirements.
