Patent Protection Period: 20 years
Annuity Payments: Required one year upon the filing date, and can be paid any time before due date. Late settlement of annuities can be done upon payment of lateness fine.
From Filing to Grant: 3 years average
Convention Priority: Yes
Novelty: Absolute
Filing Language: Specifications, claim and drawings can be filed in English or French, and the same should be translated into Arabic. Abstract should be filed in English and should be translated into Arabic.
Procedure: Once the patent application is filed, it is queued to be examined by the Egyptian Patent Office with respect to compliance with formalities and patentability in accordance with the Egyptian Patent Law. Accepted applications are published in the Official Gazette. There is two months period for any interested party's opposition. In absence of any opposition, the letters patent is issued.
Requirements:
Filing Requirements for Patent Application:
1- One copy of the specification, claims and drawings (if any) relating to the invention.
2- Abstract of the invention (approximately 100 words).
3- The name, address, nationality, and profession or nature of business of the applicant(s) and the inventor(s).
4- Power of Attorney, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
5- Extract from the Commercial Register or from the Memorandum of Association, if the applicant is company, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
6- Deed of assignment signed by the inventor, notarized and legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt, if the applicant is not the inventor.
7- A certified copy of the application giving the filing date, number and country if the application is to be filed with a priority claim.
* Documents in items 1, 2 and 3 should be submitted to the patent office with the application, while documents in items 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be submitted upon filing the application.
Requirements for Assignment Applications
1-Power of Attorney by the Assignee, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
2- Deed of Assignment, signed by both parties, notarized and legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
3- Extract of the entry of the Assignee in the Commercial Register, or copy of the memorandum of association, if the Assignee is a company or body corporate, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
Requirements for Change of Name/Address:
1- Power of Attorney in the new name/address, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
2- Certificate proving the change of name/address, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
Requirements for License Agreement:
1- Power of attorney executed by the licensee, duly legalized up the Consulate of Egypt.
2- License Agreement executed by both parties, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
3- Extract of the entry of the Licensee in the Commercial Register, or legalized copy of the memorandum of association, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
PCT
Time Limit for Entering PCT National Phase: 30 months
Filing Requirements for PCT National Phase Patent Applications:
1- Power of Attorney, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
2- Deed of assignment signed by the inventor, notarized and legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt, if the applicant is not the inventor.
3- Extract from the Commercial Registry OR Deed of Incorporation of the applicant (if the applicant is not a company or body corporate), duly legalized up to the Consulate of Egypt.
4- Copy of the PCT publication along with examination, search reports, publication, etc.
5- One copy of the specification, claims and drawings (if any) relating to the invention (as published in the PCT Gazette).
* Items from 1 to 3 above can be submitted to the Patent Office upon filing the application, while items 4 and 5 should accompany the patent application.
