Egypt

HOW TO REGISTER A PATENT

Patent protection is obtainable via a national filing.  Egypt is a member of the International Convention and of the PCT (since 6 September 2003).

The requirements for filing a non-PCT application in Egypt are as follows:

1. A Power of Attorney legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate;
2. An extract of a commercial register or certificate of incorporation legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate (if the applicant is not an individual);
3. A Deed of Assignment legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate;
4. A certified copy of the priority application with an English translation thereof, both legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate; and
5. A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in Arabic.

Items (a) to (d) can be lodged up to 3 months after the filing of the application.  With respect to item (e), an English version of the specification can be lodged together with the original application so long as the Arabic translation thereof is lodged within 6 months of the original application.

The requirements for filing a PCT application in Egypt are as follows:

1. A Power of Attorney legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate;
2. A copy of the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as published by WIPO;
3. A copy of International Search Report;
4. A copy of International Preliminary Examination Report; and
5. A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in Arabic.

Items (i) to (iv) can be lodged up to 3 months after the filing of the application so long as a copy of the front page of the WIPO publication is lodged with the original application.  With respect to item (v), an English version of the specification can be lodged together with the original application so long as the Arabic translation thereof is lodged within 6 months of the original application.

Our cost estimate for filing a patent application in Egypt is about US$ 2000.00.  To this must be added further costs, which may or may not be applicable, such as about US$ 50.00 per priority claim, and about US$ 40.00 per 200 words for translation costs from English to Arabic.

In the case of a PCT National phase filing, outstanding annuities are normally payable upon entering the National phase (due retrospectively on the first anniversary of the International Filing date and annually thereafter) at a cost of about US$ 300.00 per annuity.

HOW TO REGISTER A TRADE MARK

1.   Filing requirements

1. Full name, street address and description of the applicant (including trading style, if any, and state/country of incorporation, if incorporated).
2. List of goods and/or services.
3. Clear copy of the device mark.
4. A power of attorney, legalised up to Egyptian Consular level (to be submitted at time of filing).
5. Certificate of incorporation (of companies), legalised up to an Egyptian Consular level.
6. If priority claimed : legalised copy of the priority document.

All documents must be submitted within 6 months from filing date

NB - In the case there is no Egyptian consulate in your country, then legalisation from any Arab country will be accepted.

2.   Classification

1. The 10th Edition of the International Classification (Nice Agreement) is followed.
2. Multi-class - No.

3.   General

1. Duration : 10 years from filing date and renewal for further periods of 10 years (even if priority is claimed, the date is still calculated from application date).
2. Use: Not compulsory but advisable.
3. Marking: Not compulsory.
4. Licenses: Must be recorded with the Trademark Office.
5. Assignments: Of applications are permitted.
6. Search available within approximately 7 - 14 working days from instruction and are conducted on an official register.

HOW TO REGISTER A DESIGN

Design protection is obtainable.  Egypt is a member of the International Convention.

The requirements for filing a Design application in Egypt are as follows:

1. A Power of Attorney legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate;
2. An extract of a commercial register or certificate of incorporation legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate (if the applicant is not an individual);
3. A Deed of Assignment legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate;
4. A certified copy of the priority application with an English translation thereof, both legalised up to an Egyptian embassy or consulate; and
5. 3 copies of the design without any references; 1 copy of the design in which all references are shown; and If possible, a description of the design.

Items (a), (b), (c) and (d) can be lodged up to 3 months after the filing of the application.

Our cost estimate for filing a patent application in Egypt is about US$ 1800.00.  To this must be added further costs, which may or may not be applicable, such as about US$ 50.00 per priority claim, and about US$ 40.00 per 200 words for translation costs.