Spoor & Fisher - Intellectual Property law specialists Patents, trade marks, copyright, design, domain names, South Africa and Africa

Egypt

Capital: Cairo
Population: 65 million
Major language: Arabic
Major religion: Islam
Form of government: Republic
Monetary unit: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres
Main exports: Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Cotton
Internet domain: .eg
Time zone: gmt +2hrs (+3hrs during summer time)
International dialling code: +20

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Trade Marks

International Arrangements:

Paris Union, Madrid Union.

Categories of Trade Marks:

There are provisions for the registration of SERVICE MARKS and CERTIFICATION MARKS (known as STANDARDISATION MARKS).

There are no provisions for the registration of DEFENSIVE MARKS or SERIES MARKS.

Classification:

The International Classification of goods and services applies.

A separate application is required for each class of goods or services.

Documents required:

A. New Applications

Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation.*
Printing block and 10 prints, even for word marks in ordinary type.*
Priority document (if applicable), with verified English translation.*

B. Renewals

Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation.*

C. Assignments/Mergers

Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation.*
Deed of Assignment or other instrument of title, with verified English translation.*
Certificate of Incorporation/Extract from Commercial Register, with verified English translation.*

D. Change of Name

Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation.*
Certificate of Change of Name, with verified English translation.*

E. Change of Address

Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation.*
Certificate of Change of Address, with verified English translation.*

F. Licences/Registered Users

Powers of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation from proprietor and licensee.*
Licence Agreement, with verified English translation.*

Certificate of Incorporation/Extract from Commercial Register relating to licensee, with verified English translation.*

* To be legalised up to an Egyptian Consul

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Trade Mark Forms

Egypttrd.pdf

Patent Forms

EGYPT.pdf
AS55.pdf

Related News Articles

1) Circular No. 346: Africa Newsletter (Trade Marks)

2) Egypt Joined PCT on 6 September 2003

3) Circular No. 357: Industrial Property Developments in Africa and Surrounding Islands

Patents

International arrangements:

Paris Union (from 6 March 1975)
WIPO (from 21 April 1975)
PCT (from 6 September 2003)

Note: The law in Egypt has not yet been amended to recognise the PCT. Although national phase applications are filed and accepted, we cannot guarantee that enforceable rights will be granted. Convention applications are recommended at this time.

Types of Patents available:

Patents of Invention
Patents of Addition
National Phase PCT application

Novelty requirements:

Novelty is destroyed if before the date of the application or the earliest priority date:

A patent has already been issued for the invention or part thereof in Egypt or abroad before the date of filing.
If the invention has been publicly used or exploited in Egypt, or abroad or disclosed in a manner which enable experts to exploit it before filing patent application in Egypt.

Disclosure of invention in national or international exhibitions during six months prior to the date of filing is not considered as disclosure.

Patentability:

Diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans and animals are not patentable. However products for use in such methods may be patented.

Filing requirements:

Patents of invention:

Power of Attorney (legalised) (can be late filed within four months)
Specification, claims and abstract in English (required on the day of filing)
Specification, claims and abstract in Arabic (can be late filed within six months)
Formal drawings, if applicable, without labelling (required on the day of filing)
Formal drawings, if applicable, with full labelling (required on the day of filing)
Assignment of Invention and priority rights (legalised) (can be late filed within four months)
Certificate of Incorporation (legalised) (can be late filed within four months)
Priority document with verified English and Arabic translation (to be lodged within three months)

National Phase PCT application:

Copy of International Publication
Copy of International Search report
Copy of International Preliminary Report on Patentability

Grant:

The term of a patent is twenty years. The exception is patents for a chemical invention relating to foodstuffs, medical drugs or pharmaceutical compounds where only the process is claimed, for these patents the term is ten years (non-extendible). A patent of addition expires with the main patent. Renewal fees fall due annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date.

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