PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Egypt

Since July 1, 1951, Egypt has been a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Additionally, it has been a participant in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since September 6, 2003. The country, with its rich history and cultural heritage, recognizes the significance of safeguarding ideas, innovations, and inventions. In this region, there are established laws governing intellectual property rights, covering patents, trademarks, copyrights. Egypt's participation in international agreements, like those with WIPO and TRIPS, aligns its intellectual property protection with global standards.

The major requirements and procedure to file a patent application in Egypt are mentioned below:

The designated period for submitting a patent application in Egypt under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is 30 months from the earliest date of priority.

In this particular region, the official language for filing patent application is Arabic. In the event that the application is initially filed in a language other than Arabic, it is a mandatory requirement to furnish an Arabic translation.

The deadline for submitting a patent application to the national phase cannot be extended. The Arabic of the application translation must be submitted to the Patent Office within a designated period, typically within 6 months from entering the national phase.

The renewal fee shall be paid as of the second year until the expiration of the patent protection period. The patent office shall notify the person concerned 30 days before the due date for payment of the renewal fee.

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application include:

• Power of Attorney: must be legalized in Arabic by the Egyptian Consulate, either concurrently or within 4 months from entering the national phase.
• Assignment Deed: if the applicant is not the inventor, a legalized Deed of Assignment must be filed with the application or within 4 months from the filing date.
• Certificate of Incorporation: for a legal entity applicant, a legalized certified copy of the Certificate of incorporation should be submitted with the application or within 4 months after filing.
• Verified Arabic Translation

There are no charges incurred for students when initiating a patent application or submitting a request for examination. All associated fees for these processes are waived for student applicants.

A specific form is not mandated for the initiation of a substantive examination, but it's crucial to complete the payment of the examination fee for the examination process to commence. The Office will conduct a thorough assessment of the patent application and its accompanying documents, meticulously verifying that the invention fulfills the requirements of being novel, involving an inventive step, demonstrating industrial applicability, and aligning with the legal provisions.

Commencing from the second year and extending until the conclusion of the patent protection period, an annual fee is obligatory. The Office will issue a notification 30 days prior to the deadline for the annual fee payment. Failure to remit payment by the stipulated due date will result in a surcharge amounting to 7% of the fees. Non-payment of annual fees or surcharges for a continuous one-year period from the due date will lead to the loss of the rights conferred by the patents for inventions, causing the respective invention to enter the public domain.

Egyptian patents remain in force for a duration of 20 years, providing an extensive timeframe for protection and exclusivity. In the following jurisdiction, patent term extension is entirely non-existent, with no provisions for prolonging the duration under any circumstances.

Egypt's standing in the Global Innovation Index has experienced a remarkable surge, demonstrating the nation's escalating prowess in innovation and economic performance. In a noteworthy leap, Egypt has stepped up from the 93rd position in 2021 to an impressive 89th place in 2022, marking a significant advancement of five positions in the global rankings. Additionally, Egypt's strides in the 'Creative Output' sub-category are truly noteworthy, soaring by an remarkable 20 places, from 101st in 2021 to an impressive 84th in 2022. This striking ascent not only underscores Egypt's commitment to innovation but also highlights its growing influence in the international creative landscape.