News from the Egyptian Patent Office

The pyramids -- prior art over the camel's hump?

With the current turbulent activity in North Africa making it difficult for intellectual property owners and their advisers to see clearly what is happening, Afro Leo is grateful for all the news he can get. Here, thanks to AGIP, is some helpful information for readers with IP interests in Egypt.

The Egyptian Patent Office has recently issued two decisions:

1. The Patent Office will not accept any late filing for the national phase entry; accordingly the deadline of filing a national phase within 31 month, 32 month and 33 month (chapter II) from the priority date will be no longer valid.

2. The official fees for the examination will be 7000 EGP instead of 2000 EGP.

Source: "Egyptian Patent Office Issues New Decisions", Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) Newsletter, 27 February 2011