Registering a trademark in Egypt: ITDA and the Intellectual Property Law

Legal basis and definition

As article 63 is set out on the Authority’s website: a trademark is anything that distinguishes a product — a good or a service — from others, including in particular distinctive names, signatures, words, letters, numerals, devices, symbols, shop signs, stamps, seals, pictures, reliefs, a distinctive combination of colours, and any mixture of these elements, used or intended to distinguish industrial, agricultural or forestry products, minerals or goods, or to indicate source, kind, grade, guarantee or method of production, or to indicate the performance of a service.

Documents to prepare

The Authority’s “required documents” page lists the kinds of papers to file with an application, including the application form, representations of the mark, and an extract from the commercial register or the instrument of incorporation or legal constitution. If an earlier filing or registration in a foreign country is relied on, a copy certified by that country’s industrial property office is attached. Use the form and number of copies the Authority publishes at the time of filing.

How the application proceeds

1. Fix the representation of the mark and the classes of goods or services before filing.
2. File the application with ITDA and the required documents.
3. The Authority examines priority and registrability.
4. Complete publication and any later statutory steps as the Authority notifies you, until a registration certificate or a decision is issued.

How Wang Fu can help

• Preparing and translating the file (Chinese, Arabic, English).
• Interpreting when you meet the authorities or file papers.