Lebanon – Trademarks

From Filing to Registration: 2 Months
Convention Priority: Yes
Classification of Goods/Service: International (10th Edition)
Multiple Class Applications: One application can include several classes with official fees to be paid for each class.
Procedure: Once the application is filed, the trademark is examined as to whether it is contrary to the public order and morals or representing national or foreign decorations and/or it is similar or identical to a pre-registered or well-known trademark. Upon acceptance and settlement of the registration fees, the trademark is registered and the Certificate of Registration is issued. There is no opposition in Lebanon.
Registration Validity: 15 years, renewable for other consecutive periods, each of which is 15 years.
Renewal Time: Application for Renewal should be submitted during the last year of the protection period. There is 3 months grace-period for late renewal.
Trade/Service mark Use: Not pre-requisite for registration.

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Requirements:

Trademark/Service Mark Applications

1. Power of Attorney, simply signed by applicant.
2. 10 prints of the trademark.
3. Certified copy of priority document, if priority is to be claimed.

Renewal of Trademark/Service Mark Registrations

1. Power of Attorney, simply signed by applicant.
2. Copy of the Certificate of Registration.

Assignment Applications

1. Power of Attorney, simply signed by Assignee.
2. Deed of Assignment, signed by both parties, notarized and legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon.

Change of Name/Address Applications

1. Power of Attorney in the new name/address, simply signed by applicant.
2. Certificate of change of name /address, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon.

License Applications

1. Power of Attorney, simply signed by applicant.
2. License Agreement or a declaration legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon.
3. The name, nationality and address of the licensee.
4. The number and date of the trademark concerned.

Agency Agreement

1. Power of attorney duly legalized up to Consulate of Lebanon.
2. Agency agreements executed by the principal and the agent, legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon.

Lebanon – Patents

Patent Protection Period: 20 years

Annuity Payments: Required every year starting from the filing date. Late settlement is possible within 6 months as of the annual due date upon payment of lateness fees.

Convention Priority: Yes

Novelty: Required

Filing Language: Arabic, English or French (the Abstract must be translated into Arabic in all cases)

Procedure: Once the patent application is filed, it is queued to be examined by Lebanese Patent Office with respect to compliance with formalities and patentability provided for in the Patent Law. The Patent Office shall present a detailed report to the Minister of Economy and Trade together with the remarks of the applicant (if any). The Minister issues a decision either to accept or reject the application. The decision of the Minister may be appealed by the applicant before the Civil Court of Appeal of Lebanon. In case of acceptance, the Letters Patent is issued and published in the Official Gazette.

PCT: Lebanon is not contracting state of PCT

Filing Requirements for Patent Application:

1. Power of attorney, simply signed.
2. 3 copies of the specifications, abstract and claims in English or French with Arabic translation of the title and abstract.
3. 3 sets of formal drawings.
4. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.
5. Deed of assignment from the inventor(s), legalized.

Assignment Applications

1- Power of Attorney, simply signed by the Assignee
2- Deed of Assignment, signed by both parties, notarized and legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon
3- The name, nationality, address and business of the Assignee

Change of Name/Address Application:

1- Power of Attorney in the new name/address, simply signed
2- Certificate proving the change of name/address, duly legalized up to the Consulate of Lebanon.

Lebanon – Designs

Design Protection Period: 25 years from filing date renewable for one additional term of 25 years.
From Filing to Grant: 2 month average
Convention Priority: Yes
Annuities: Payable annually.

Procedure: Once the Design application is filed, it is examined with respect to compliance with provision of the Patent and Industrial Designs Law. Upon acceptance, the design is registered, and then published in the Official Gazette.

Filing Requirements for Design Application:

1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A description of the design.
3. The name, address and nationality of the applicant.
4. A set of the drawings using the metric system specifying the views.
5. If convention priority is to be claimed, a certified copy of the home application must be submitted within three months of the filing date.

Assignment Applications

1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A deed of assignment legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The name, nationality, address and business of the assignee.
4. The number and date of the design concerned.

Change of Name/Address Application:

1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A certified copy of the change of name/address certificate issued by the home registry legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.

License Applications

1. A simply signed Power of Attorney in the name of the owner.
2. A license agreement or a declaration legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The name, nationality and address of the licensee.
4. The number and date of the design concerned.