After suspending operations, last year the Libyan Trademark Office resumed limited operations and is accepting new applications. Despite hints that the Office intends to disregard all past pending matters in favor of requiring trademark owners to file new applications, the status of applications, registrations and renewals filed or obtained prior to the temporary closure remains unclear.

It should be recalled that trademark owners subject to US laws are currently prohibited from transacting intellectual property matters in Libya without a license from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12543.