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EGYPT

Egypt boasts a rich history of innovation, with recent efforts focused on modernizing intellectual property laws to spur economic growth and technological advancement. Positioned in the heart of the Middle East, Egypt is actively enhancing its IP framework to attract investment and become a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, leveraging its burgeoning market and increased emphasis on IP protection.

Egypt's robust legal framework ensures comprehensive patent protection, benefiting both local and international businesses operating within the country. Amidst an expanding economy and increasing globalization, Egypt presents a dynamic marketplace ripe with opportunities for establishing a strong base. It's imperative for entrepreneurs and enterprises to grasp the complexities of Egypt's patent system and its protective measures to thrive in this diverse and evolving market. Notably, Egypt's membership in the Paris Convention permits direct application filing within a 12-month period from the initial priority application, while its participation in the PCT treaty facilitates the acceptance of all PCT applications for national phase entry within 30 months from the first priority application.

Required Documents and Legal Time Frames:

  1. Power of Attorney: Legalized by the Egyptian consulate, required for both National phase (PCT) and Direct filing (Paris convention). Legal time frame: 4 months.

  2. Deed of Assignment: Legalized by the Egyptian consulate, required for Direct filing (Paris convention). Legal time frame: 4 months.

  3. Certificate of Incorporation/Business License: Legalized by the Egyptian consulate, required for Direct filing (Paris convention). Legal time frame: 4 months.

  4. Certified Priority Document: Required for Direct filing (Paris convention). Legal time frame: 3 months.

Language Requirements:

  • English Version: Title, abstract, specification, claims, and drawings must be in English and submitted at filing.

  • Arabic Translation: Specification, claims, and drawings should be submitted in Arabic at filing. If not ready, Arabic translation of title, abstract, and representative figure can be submitted at filing, with the rest within 6 months from filing.

Deadlines:

•    Request for Examination: Must be filed within 6 months from the date of filing the application.
•    Annuity Fees: Paid annually, calculated from international filing date for PCT applications, and from national filing date for direct filings.

Examination Process:
Expedited Examination:

•    Typically involves two office actions before a decision of acceptance or rejection.
•    Amendments to the application or claims can be submitted before settling examination fees (within 6 months from filing). After settling fees, amendments are only allowed in response to the 1st examination report/office action.

•    If you wish to expedite the substantive examination process, a PPH request can be submitted based on a positive recommendation from a Japanese application. This can be done after the Egyptian application is formally accepted but before settling examination fees.

​Navigating the patent process in Egypt involves attention to detail and adherence to timelines. We're here to guide you through every step of the way to ensure your intellectual property rights are protected effectively

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