PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Algeria

Algeria has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since March 01, 1966, and a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since March 08, 2000. Additionally, it is a party to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). Algeria has made efforts to strengthen its intellectual property rights (IPR) legal framework, such as dismantling informal markets that sell counterfeit goods and enhancing cooperation between customs authorities and law enforcement. The current intellectual property framework in Algeria does not include a patent listing or patent linkage system, which poses concerns for the local growing generic pharmaceutical sector. As is the case in other regions, the increasing demand for affordable medicines has attracted interest from foreign generic companies.

The deadline for entering the PCT national phase in Algeria is 31 months from the priority date.

If the PCT application is filed in English or French, a translation into Arabic is required. For applications in any language other than English or French, translations into both Arabic and either French or English must be provided. The official language for correspondence with the Office is French. The required translation of the international application must be submitted within two months from the Office’s formal request.

There are no provisions that allow for an extension of the deadline for submitting a patent application into the national phase in Algerian.

Power of Attorney: A simply signed original Power of Attorney must be submitted within two months from the entry into the PCT national phase.

There are no cost exemptions available for patent applications in Algeria.

Patent applications undergo formal examination only. However, the Algerian Patent Office takes International Search Reports (if available) into consideration.

Renewal fees are due on the anniversary of the international filing date. Late payments can be made within a six-month grace period, although a surcharge will apply.

Patents in Algeria remain valid for 20 years starting from the international filing date.

In the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), Algeria ranked 115th out of 133 economies, with a score of 16.16, showing a slight improvement from its 2023 position of 119th and a score of 16.10. The country performs relatively well in areas such as Human Capital and Research (76th), Infrastructure (94th), Institutions (95th), and Creative Outputs (109th). Among the 38 economies in the lower-middle-income group, Algeria ranks 29th.

Algeria has a diverse geography that includes part of the Sahara Desert, which covers over 80% of its territory, as well as a narrow, fertile coastal plain. Algeria is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which form the backbone of its economy. Politically, Algeria is a republic with a strong presidential system, though it has faced periods of political unrest and demands for reform. Culturally, it has a rich heritage influenced by Berber, Arab, Islamic, and French traditions.