PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Sudan

Sudan has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since April 16, 1984. Additionally, Sudan is a party to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) and is a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). The Sudan Interim National Constitution of 2005 stated that intellectual property (IP) rights related to federal matters and IP office branches can be established at the state level. As part of implementing agreements signed between the Republic of Sudan and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the Development Plan Agreement, efforts were made to activate automation and archiving systems. This includes the application of database programs (including workflow) and electronic archiving.

To enter the national phase in Sudan after a PCT application, the national application must be filed within 30 months from the priority date.

The language to file the Patent application in Sudan is Arabic.

No Extension is available to file late patent application in Sudan.

• Power of Attorney: If the applicant is not a resident of Sudan, they are required to appoint a local agent through Power of Attorney.
• Assignment Deed: An assignment deed is required if the applicants for the priority application and the national phase application are different.

No cost exemption is available to file patent application in Sudan.

There is no deadline for requesting examination in Sudan, as the country follows a filing system for patents, meaning that only formal examination will take place.

Renewal fees are due annually, starting from the filing date. A 6-month grace period is allowed for late payment of the annuity, subject to a fine. For PCT patents, the anniversary date for renewal payments is calculated based on the international filing date.

A patent in Sudan is valid for 20 years from the filing date of the application.

Sudan's latest Global Innovation Index (GII) score in 2015 was 15.00 out of 100, placing it in the 141st position among 141 countries. This score is an increase from the 12.66 score and 143rd ranking in 2014. The average GII score for Sudan between 2011 and 2015 was 16.94.

Sudan is a country rich in natural resources, including gold, oil, and fertile land along the Nile River, but it has been plagued by political instability, conflict, and economic challenges for decades. Since the secession of South Sudan in 2011, which took a significant portion of the country's oil reserves, Sudan has faced severe economic hardships, high inflation, and international sanctions. The country has a young population, untapped agricultural potential, and a strategic location that could make it a regional trade hub.