1. In view of the free movement of industrial goods between Israel on the one hand and the West Bank and Gaza Strip on the other, each side when processing applications submitted by any resident or legal entity of the other side for the registration of patents, industrial designs, trade marks and geographic indications ( hereinafter " Registered Rights " ), shall expedite the examination process including publication for objections, for Registered Rights existing and in force in both areas, on the date of the transfer of powers and responsibilities in the sphere of legal administration.
   
   
2. In the event of a dispute between the registration of Registered Rights in Israel and their registration in the West Bank and Gaza Strip the registration of each side will apply in the areas under its jurisdiction.
   
   

4. In the interest of promoting investment in the region, and in order to facilitate the protection by registration of intellectual property rights, the Palestinian side will, when processing applications for registration, take account of the fact that a particular right has been examined elsewhere.
   
   
5. Without prejudice to the provisions contained in Annex IV ( Protocol concerning Legal Affairs ), each side will extend its administrative and judicial protection to intellectual property right - holders of the other side. The purpose of this protection is to permit effective action against any act of infringement of intellectual property rights under this Agreement, including expeditious remedies to prevent infringements, and remedies which constitute a deterrent to future infringements.
   
   
6. The two sides will provide each other on a case-by-case basis with information regarding the registration of Registered Rights held by their respective Registrars of intellectual property rights.
   
   

7. Both sides shall ensure that their Registers are open to the public.
   
   

5. Legal issues regarding criminal and civil jurisdiction of the Palestinian courts are dealt with in Annex IV ( Protocol concerning Legal Matters ).
   
   

ARTICLE 24

Local Government

1. This sphere includes, inter alia, formulation and implementation of Local Government policies, appointment of Local Government officials, approval of Local Government budgets, tenders, acquisitions, fees and tariffs, alteration of Local Government boundaries, creation and dissolution of Local Government, Local Government election processes, Local Government inspections and the creation of joint service councils, city councils, in their capacity as local planning committees, and the operation and maintenance of the municipal water and electricity distribution systems and pricing of these services.
   
   

The term " Local Government " in this Article includes municipal councils, village councils and all other communities which lack municipal status.

2. The Palestinian side has the right to make any and all alterations to the Local

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