Explore Iran, the best potential land for investment     - producers' and Consumers' Cooperative Company a-cooperative of producers': It is a kind of company including a group of professions in which the partners utilize their careers for producing and selling goods. b-Cooperative of Consumers': It is a kind of company established for the following purposes: i-Selling essential commodities. ii-Dividing profits and loss among the partners in proportion to their shares. -Mixed Stocks Company Mixed stock company is a kind of company formed under the special name among a group of shareholders and one or a number of sponsored partners. The shareholders are those whose capitals are considered as a share or share proportion of equal rates with the proportional partnership responsibilities of their shares and a sponsored partner is one whose capital is not considered as a share and would be responsible against all the company debts despite its assets. The world MSC in addition to the name of at least one of the shareholders must be a part of the company's name. The firm management should be undertaken by partner or sponsored partners. -Mixed non-stocks Company It is a kind of company formed for commercial affairs under the special name among one or a number of sponsored partners and one or a number of partners with limited responsibility and no right of share distribution. The sponsored partner is responsible for all the company debts despite its assets. The partner with limited responsibility is one commits only in proportion to the amount invested by him. The word MSC in addition to the name of at least one of the shareholders must be a part of the company's name.   -Proportional Liability Partnership Company (PLP) It can be launched by a minimum of 2 people for commercial affairs with Proportional Liability Partnership responsibility under the formal name. The share of responsibility shouldered by each shareholder is in proportion to the amount of fund she/he has invested. Also, in case the company assets do not suffice, each shareholder would be responsible against company debts and commitments only in proportion to the amount invested by her/him. The word JSC in addition to the name of at least one of the shareholders must be a part of the company's name. - Foreign Company Branch : Branch The huge foreign companies can choose the real or legal people as their representative in Iran for commercial purposes so that they can do the commercial activities on their behalf.   2-Industrial Property Protection Iran is a member of the Paris Union International Convention for the protection of Industrial Property and world Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Citizens of member countries are entitled to receive patent and trademark rights identical to those of Iranian nationals. Also under the Convention, if a foreign national makes application for a patent in his own country and within twelve months makes similar application in Iran or another convention country, the filing date shall be considered the same as that of the original application. Non-residents desiring to file patent and trademark applications in Iran must do so through an attorney or other representative in residence here who must be given full power of attorney for that purpose. Applications must be prepared in the Persian. General inquiries regarding patent, trademark and copyright procedures in Iran may be addressed to Director, Registration refer to the law on Registration of Trademarks and Patents of June 1931, and implementing regulations effective July 15, 1958.   -PATENTS Patents are granted for 5, 10, 15 or a maximum of 20 years at the option of the inventor. Fees are levied annually for the duration of the patent. Additions or improvements may later be included and are protectable for the duration of the basic patent. An inventor holding an unexpired patent registration in foreign country can apply for a corresponding patent in Iran. The validity period shall be the same as the original patent. However, if a person of firm in Iran has completely or partially explication, the inventor will not have the right to oppose the actions of said person or firm. Patent applications are examined only for correctness of documents and compliance of the subject matter with patentability specifications. A patentable invention must be novel and capable of practical use in industry or agriculture. The novelty is prejudiced, if it is given publicity in Iran or abroad before application procedures are completed. Unfavourable decisions on an application may be appealed to the courts. Financial plans, inventions which may be contrary to public order, health or good morals, and medicinal formulas or compounds are not patentable. Processes for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals are patentable. If a patent is not exploited within five years from the effective date of grant, any interested party may apply for its nullification. Persons who believe their interests are being adversely affected by a registered patent, may file for cancellation with the courts. Patents and trademarks may be licensed or assigned, but such action must be recorded with the Registration Office to be effective.