Egypt, a country located in northeast Africa, which links to the Middle East, is well known as one of the prime volume markets in the region. Many international and local traders and entities consider Egypt as the largest market in North Africa and the Middle East. The trademark practice generally focuses on protection, which includes trademark filing, registration, and enforcement against the issues of infringement. So that, Trademark Registration in Egypt is a pivotal step for businesses aiming to secure their brand identity and intellectual property rights.
The Definition of Trademark according to the Egyptian law
The origin of a trademark goes back a long time when craftsmen signed or marked their artistic or utilitarian products. Over the years, these marks have evolved into a trademark registration and protection system as we know it today. This system helps consumers identify and buy products or services because nature and quality reflected by the trademark satisfy the consumer’s needs.
Trademark law in Egypt is regulated by Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (as amended by Law No. 26 of 2015 and Law No. 144 of 2019), which governs the protection of trademarks, trade names, and geographical indications.
The law is enforced by the Trademark Office, which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
What rights are granted by the registration of a trademark?
The exclusive rights granted by the registration of a trademark consist of the following:
- Exclusive use of the trademark in the market.
- The right to prevent non-authorized third parties from using an identical or similar trademark
- For goods or services identical or similar to the ones under the registered trademark.
- The right to prevent by administrative proceedings the registration of trademarks that can be confused with your own.
- The right to request the cancellation of subsequent trademarks that become confused with yours.
- The right to transfer sell or license the trademark like any other company asset.
In which cases a trademark registration application may be rejected under the Egyptian law?
- Trademarks that are devoid of any distinctive feature or consisting of signs or data which do not fall beyond the designation that is traditionally given to the products, drawing, or the ordinary images thereof.
- Trademarks that are identical and similar to trademarks previously registered for the same products or services.
- Trademarks that violate the public order or morals.
- Public emblems, media, and other symbols of the State or the other states, or the regional or international organizations, as well as any imitation thereof.
- Trademarks that are identical or similar to symbols of a religious character or particularity.
- The symbols of the Red Crescent or the Red Cross or other similar symbols, as well as the signs which represent imitations thereof.
- Images of others or their logo unless they authorize the use thereof.
- Data on honors degrees unless the applicant has proved to have obtained them.
- Marks and geographical indications that may mislead or confuse the public, or contain false.
Trademark Registration in Egypt requires knowledge of trademark procedures as well as trademark law, thus picking a knowledgeable Trademark lawyer Egypt as in “Consortio Law Firm” will make your life easier.
Hiring our professional trademark lawyers is a great investment for your business. As our attorneys can help you handle not only registrations but also any disputes or infringement that could hamper your business.
Do you have an unregistered trademark? It’s time to register and protect them legally, Just Contact us Now via the phone number 002 01028806061 or email us via WhatsApp or email Info@consortiolawfirm.com.
