New Egyptian Organization for Intellectual Property Rights
Egypt is making substantial strides in strengthening its intellectual property (IP) framework with the establishment of the Egyptian Organization for Intellectual Property Rights (EOIPR). President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ratified Decree No. 163, paving the way for EOIPR’s formation, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030. This development follows the launch of the country’s National IP Strategy in 2022, with the decree published in the Official Gazette on August 13, 2023, and enforced the next day.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly introduced the national IP strategy in September 2022, aiming to revolutionize Egypt’s IP organization by creating a national IP system and revising existing laws. The EOIPR, being the second part of this strategy, is established to regulate and safeguard IP rights in Egypt.
It will centralize responsibilities previously dispersed across various ministries and authorities, including Higher Education and Scientific Research, Supply and Internal Trade, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Culture, Trade and Economy, the Media Council, and the Patent Office.
The EOIPR’s core operations will involve creating and executing strategic plans to achieve its goals. It will operate as a financially self-sustaining entity, relying on foreign grants, donations, and service fees to fund its activities. The organization will have its headquarters in Cairo and branches across the country to ensure comprehensive national coverage.
One of EOIPR’s key roles will be formulating, updating, and implementing the National IP Strategy in collaboration with relevant ministries and authorities. The organization will oversee IP rights registration and issue IP protection documents, such as registration certificates and grants. Additionally, EOIPR and its appointed head will take over the responsibilities of ministers, authorities, and institutions currently enforcing IP laws and their executive regulations, as per Article 2 of the decree.
Decree No. 163 mandates implementation within one calendar year, with a provision for a six-month extension if required. This move represents a significant leap forward for Egypt’s IP protection efforts, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation and safeguarding intellectual property rights.
Egypt’s IP system
Until the end of 2021, Egypt had made significant strides in developing its intellectual property (IP) system to align with international standards. Specifically, on matters like:
1. Copyright and Related Rights:
Egypt was a member of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, an international treaty governing copyright. The country had a copyright law in place to protect literary, artistic, and musical works, as well as software and broadcasting rights. Copyright protection typically lasted for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years.
2. Trademarks:
Egypt had a well-established trademark system. The Egyptian Trademark Office, under the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, was responsible for registering trademarks. Trademarks were protected for a period of ten years, renewable indefinitely.
3. Patents and Industrial Designs:
Egypt had a patent law to protect inventions for a period of 20 years from the filing date. The country was also a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), allowing inventors to seek international patent protection.
Regarding industrial designs, Egypt provided protection for the ornamental and aesthetic aspects of an article. The Industrial Design Office, under the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, handled the registration process.
4. Enforcement and Regulations:
Egypt had laws and regulations in place to enforce IP rights. Enforcement, however, could sometimes be challenging due to factors like counterfeiting and piracy.
5. International Agreements:
Apart from the Berne Convention and the PCT, Egypt was a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and had signed various international agreements related to IP protection.
6. Developments and Challenges:
Egypt had been working on improving its IP infrastructure to attract foreign investments and promote innovation domestically. However, challenges such as counterfeiting, piracy, and the need for more efficient enforcement mechanisms were areas that required ongoing attention.
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