Intellectual Property

Egypt
Smit & Van Wyk Patent, Trademark & Registered Designs

Egypt Patents

Egypt patents require a fully detailed description of the invention or utility model in Arabic. The application should use the correct technical terms, including a statement on prior art and shortcomings therein, the novel element in the invention or utility model and the best way known by the inventor, to enable a person of expertise to execute it. The application should indicate any chemical equations, formulas or illustrative drawings. Egypt patents have a duration of 20 years from date of filing and methods of medical diagnosis, treatment or surgery are not patentable.  

Types of Patents:  

  • Patents of Invention
  • Patents of Addition
  • National Phase PCT Application

Novelty:

Absolute novelty required.

Patentability:  

Methods of medical diagnosis, treatment or surgery are not patentable.

Examination:

A request for examination must filed within 6 months of the date of filing.

Patent Duration / Renewals:

The patent has a duration of 20 years from date of filing. Annual renewal fees are payable every year from the first anniversary of the filing date (in advance).

Patent Filing Requirements

Non-PCT applications:

  • Power of Attorney, legalised (must be filed within 4 months of filing date)
  • Title and abstract with Arabic translation (required upon filing)
  • Specification, claims, drawings and abstract with Arabic translation (must be filed within 6 months of date of filing)
  • Deed of assignment, legalised (must be filed within 4 months of filing date, if not lodged during the international phase
  • Certificate of Incorporation (must be filed within 4 months of filing date)
  • Certified copy of priority document (if applicable) (must be filed within 3 months of filing date)

PCT applications:

Egypt currently does not make provision for filing PCT applications, therefore does not set out the filing requirements for such applications.  Applicants should lodge the same documents as for non-PCT applications along with the following:

  • Published International application (required upon filing)
  • International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability (can be late filed)

International and Regional Systems

PCT

Egypt is a signatory of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Patent Cooperation Treaty ensures that by filing one international patent application, that applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in other PCT member countries. A PCT National Phase entry provides a unified procedure for filing patent applications to protect intellectual property in each of its contracting states.

Paris Convention

Egypt is a member of the Paris Convention where each contracting state must grant the same IP protection to nationals of other contracting states, and provides for the right of priority in the case of patents, trademarks and designs. The Paris Convention is an international agreement which helps creators ensure that their intellectual property is protected in other countries. It applies to IP in the widest sense as it covers patents, trademarks and industrial designs to name a few.

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