Filing Requirements:

1. Power of attorney, legalized.

2. Certificate of incorporation, legalized.

3. 2 copies of the specifications in English with Arabic translation.

4. 2 sets of drawings.

5. Deed of assignment from the inventor(s), legalized.

6. Copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.

* Items 3 and 4 must be submitted at the time of filing except for the Arabic translation which may be submitted within 4 months from filing date.

* Documents 1, 2 and 5 may be submitted within 4 months from filing date.

* Document 6 may be submitted within 3 months from filing date.

Opposition:

Patent applications are published in the Official Gazette. Oppositions may be filed within 60 days from publication date.

Search:

It is possible for patent applications and published patents to be searched by title, patentee name, and subject matter.

Examination:

As to form, novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability.

Annuities:

A maintenance fee is due annually on the anniversary of the filing date and is payable before the granting of the patent. There is a 12-month grace period for late payment with a surcharge.

Protection Term:

The term of protection is 20 years from filing date.

Compulsory License:

A patent has to be worked. If the patent is not being fully exploited by the patentee within 3 years from the date of grant then the patent will be subject to compulsory licensing under the provisions of the law.

Novelty Requirements:

Absolute novelty is required. However, disclosure of an invention in an official or officially recognized national/international exhibitions shall not be taken into consideration if it occurred within the 6-month grace period preceding the filing date of the patent application.

Special Protection Rights:

Patents of Addition.