Egypt, as a top-ranking country in the Global Innovation Index, offers a robust patent system essential for protecting innovations. Below is an overview of key information about filing patent applications in Egypt, designed to help streamline your application process.

01 Types of Patent Protection

Egypt offers three types of patent protection:

• Invention Patent: Protection period is 20 years from the filing date.

• Utility Model Patent: Protection period is 7 years from the filing date.

• Industrial Design Patent: Protection period is 10 years from the filing date.

02 Application Routes

Chinese applicants can file patent applications in Egypt through the following routes:

• Paris Convention: Submit the application within 12 months from the earliest priority date.

• PCT International Application: Enter the national phase in Egypt within 30 months from the earliest priority date.

• Direct Application: It is recommended to submit the application as early as possible.

03 Application Submission

• Language Requirements: The official language is Arabic. At least an English application document must be provided, and the Arabic translation can be submitted within 6 months after filing.

• Priority Claims: Applicants claiming priority must provide a copy of the priority document and its Arabic translation within 3 months after filing the application.

• Signed Documents: A notarized Power of Attorney must be submitted.

04 Formal Examination

The formal examination primarily verifies whether the application complies with legal formal requirements.

Note: When filing a patent application via the Paris Convention or direct application route, Chinese applicants must obtain a confidentiality review from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) in advance.

05 Voluntary Amendments

If the examiner requests amendments, applicants must make corrections within 3 months of receiving the official notification, or the application will be considered withdrawn. Applicants can appeal within 30 days of receiving the withdrawal notice.

06 Substantive Examination

A separate request form for substantive examination is not required. However, substantive examination will only proceed after the payment of the examination fee. The examiner will review the patent and related documents to ensure they meet the requirements of novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability. Subsequently, an office action will be issued. Applicants must respond with necessary amendments or supplements within 3 months of receiving the notification; otherwise, the application will be deemed withdrawn.

07 Publication and Opposition

Once the substantive examination is approved, the Egyptian Patent Office (EGPO) will publish the bibliographic information of the patent in the official gazette within 90 days.

• Any person may file a written opposition with EGPO within 60 days after publication.

• Applicants must respond to the opposition notice within 15 days of receipt. EGPO will forward the response to the opponent within 7 days.

A hearing will be conducted by the committee stipulated under Article 36 of the Intellectual Property Protection Law to decide on the opposition. The decision will be communicated to both parties within 10 days of the committee's ruling.

08 Grant

After passing formal and substantive examination, and if no opposition is filed or opposition is dismissed, EGPO will grant the patent, issue the certificate, and publish the grant in the official gazette.

09 Fees

• Application Fee:

• Invention Patent: EGP 150

• Utility Model Patent: EGP 100

• Students: Free

• Substantive Examination Fee:

• Invention Patent: EGP 17,000

• Utility Model Patent: Not required

• Appeal Fee: EGP 250

• Opposition Request Fee: EGP 500

• Annual Fee: Payable starting the second year after the international application date.

• Students: 90% reduction

• Individuals or companies with fewer than 10 employees: 50% reduction

10 Other Considerations

• Conversion Between Patent Types: Invention patents found to lack inventiveness during examination can be converted into utility model patents. Similarly, utility model patents with inventive qualities can be converted into invention patents.

• Biological Materials and Traditional Medicine: Inventions involving plant or animal biological materials, traditional medicine, etc., must include proof of lawful acquisition of materials. For inventions involving biological materials, relevant information must be disclosed, and live cultures must be deposited with an authorized laboratory.