Country: EGYPT
Strategic Hub:
Egypt serves as a massive consumer market and a primary strategic partner in the EMEA region. It is a critical gateway for delivering premium services and technological innovation, particularly in the ICT, renewable energy, and heavy industrial sectors. With a population of over 118 million, it is the top export market for many global partners in Africa.
Regulatory Body:
Intellectual property rights are managed by several specialized entities. Industrial property—including patents and utility models—is administered by the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO). Trademark registration and industrial designs are handled by the Internal Trade Development Authority (ITDA) under the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade.
International Standing:
Egypt has been a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 1975 and is a signatory to 14 WIPO-administered agreements, including the Paris Convention, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and the Hague Agreement. Notably, Egypt is a member of the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol, allowing for streamlined international trademark protection.
Member of PCT ?
YES
Can Convention priority be claimed ?
Yes- However amendments of claims must not go beyond disclosure of the specification.
Patent Search
YES
Novelty requirement
Yes- Worldwide
Deadline for filing supporting documents
Yes- 90 days
Does the invention specification have to be translated for filing
Yes, Arabic specification and abstract and English abstract.
Required Documents
1. A Power of Attorney legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
2. A deed of assignment legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
3. The name, address, nationality and profession or nature of business of the applicant(s) and the inventor(s).
4. The specification in English or French for preparing the Arabic translation. The specification must be subdivided as follows:
a. Prior art,
b. Drawbacks of the prior art,
c. What is new about the invention (improvements),
d. Detailed description,
e. Mode of exploitation of the invention,
f. Claims of the invention.
5. A summary of the invention (abstract) in English and Arabic (about 100 words).
6. One set of the formal engineering drawings.
7. An extract of the entry of the applicant company in the commercial register, or a copy of the certificate of incorporation. The document in either form should be duly legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
8. A certified copy of the priority document must be submitted within three months, in case it is claimed.
Notes:
- Items 1, 2, and 7 must be available within 4 months from the filing date; otherwise, the application will lapse irrevocably, and the specification in English or French must be filed with the application. The Arabic translation must be submitted within 6 months.
- Item 8 must be filed within 3 months from the filing date.
- For PCT applications, items 2, 7 and 8 are not required, unless the name of the applicant filed for the Egyptian national phase is different from the applicant in the PCT publication then items 2 and 7 are needed.
Examination
As to form, novelty, inventiveness, industrial applicability, unity, and compliance.
Formal, Substantive, Relative grounds, and Absolute grounds
Publication
Patents are published in the Official Gazette after allowance
Opposition
60 days from publication date
Duration
20 years from the international filing date (minus one day)
Compulsory Licensing
Non-use for 3 consecutive years after the grant of a patent or within 4 years from the filing date, which is longer of the two periods, or if working ceases for one year without an acceptable reason.
Annuities
Due annually on the anniversary of the international filing date (minus one day) and payable prior to grant. 12 months grace period for late payment with a surcharge
Assignment
Trademark Search
Not Mandatory- Possible for word and device marks.
Trademark Filing
Single/Multi-Class Jurisdiction
Single class - a separate application for each class
Can services be registered
YES
Can convention priority be claimed
YES
Is the international classification
Yes - 11th addition
Documentation and information required to file
Power of Attorney duly legalized up to Egypt Consulate.
Certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.
A print of the trademark for each class.
A list of the goods and services to be covered by the application. Class heading could be claimed for all classes except classes 35, 37 & 39 it should be specified.
(All the above may be submitted within 180 days from the filing date)
Opposition period after publication
60 days
Validity
Change of name or address
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of change of name or address
Power of Attorney legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
certified certificate of the change of name or address which should be legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
Treaties and conventions
WIPO Convention, Brussels Convention, Trademark Law Treaty, Berne Convention, Paris Convention, Rome Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Protocol, Nice Agreement, Patent Law Treaty, Budapest Treaty, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), GCC Patent Law.
Member of LOCARNO CLASSIFICATION
Yes
Can Convention priority be claimed:
Yes. Priority document may be submitted within 6 months of filing date
Novelty Requirement
Yes- New shape.
Patent search
Not Applicable.
Deadline for filing supporting documents:
Multiple designs
Admissible for up to 50 figures
Required Documents:
1. A Power of Attorney, which shall be legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
2. Four representations (photographs or drawings) of the design or model on good quality paper. Also, along with a brief description for each photograph or drawing.
3. A Certificate of the Articles of Incorporation, which should include the name, address, nationality, legal status and profession or nature of business of the applicant. which shall be legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
4. A certified copy of the priority document for a convention application in case it is claimed, which shall be legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
5. Deed of assignment (if any), which shall be legalized up to the Egyptian Consulate.
Publication
The registration, assignment and cancellation of design and industrial model registrations are published in the Official Gazette and entered in the register.
Opposition
60 days from publication date
Duration
10 years from filing date. Can be extended for extra 5 years
Compulsory licensing.:
No
Annuities:
Renewal for one term of 5 Years within 12 months from the expiry date or 3 months after expiry date With Surcharge.
Assignment:
• Power of attorney signed by the assignee duly legalized up to Egypt consulate.
• Deed of assignment signed by the assignee and assignor duly legalized as above.
• An Extract from the Commercial Register or a Certificate of Incorporation duly legalized.
Merger:
• Power of Attorney duly legalized up to Egypt Consulate.
• Certificate of merger / mortgage duly legalized as above
• An Extract from the Commercial Register or a Certificate of Incorporation duly legalized
Name / Address:
Power of Attorney in the new name/address duly legalized up to Egypt consulate.
A certificate issued by the competent authorities evidencing the changes duly legalized.
Our Global Reach & Jurisdictions
We provide expert legal representation across an extensive network of global partners, specializing in the complex regulatory landscapes of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Our firm ensures your intellectual property rights and commercial interests are protected with the broadest possible range of international coverage
