The short answer
In Algeria a trademark registration lasts 10 years, counted back to the filing date, and can be renewed for consecutive periods of 10 years. The right belongs to whoever first meets the filing conditions or first validly claims the earliest priority. A mark that is not seriously used for 3 uninterrupted years can be revoked, and applicants domiciled abroad must be represented.
Trademark deadlines in Algeria at a glance
These rules come from Ordinance No. 03-06 of 19 July 2003 on Trademarks, read in the official French text on WIPO Lex, which we have translated. The ordinance leaves filing formalities, examination, publication, renewal procedure and fees to implementing regulations, so we confirm those with INAPI before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, with effect back to the filing date, renewable for consecutive periods of 10 years (Article 5). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date of the application. A renewal takes effect on the day after the registration expires (Article 5). |
| When can I renew? | The ordinance allows renewal for consecutive 10-year periods, with the procedure set by the implementing texts (Article 5). We confirm the current renewal window with INAPI. |
| Is there a grace period? | The ordinance itself states no grace period. Any grace period is in the implementing regulations, which we check before advising. |
| Opposition period | The ordinance does not set an opposition period. Publication and any opposition steps are set by regulation (Article 13), so we confirm the current rule with INAPI before filing. |
| Reply to an office action | The ordinance sends examination and registration procedures to regulation (Article 13). Refusal grounds are listed in Article 7, including lack of distinctiveness, misleading signs and confusion with an earlier or well-known mark. |
| Priority claim | Priority under the Paris Convention applies, and a person who showed the goods under the mark at an official or officially recognised international exhibition can claim priority if they file within 3 months of the exhibition closing (Articles 5 and 6). |
| Non-use | Exercise of the right depends on serious use. Non-use leads to revocation unless it has lasted no more than 3 uninterrupted years, or the owner proves serious circumstances before that period ends, which can extend it by up to 2 years. Revocation is requested by an interested third party before the court (Articles 11 and 21). |
| Assignment | Rights can be assigned in whole or in part or pledged. The transfer must be in writing and signed by the parties, or it is void, and it is void if it misleads the public (Articles 14 and 15). A licence must state the mark, its term, the goods or services and the territory or quality control, and must be recorded in the trademark register (Articles 16 and 17). |
| Use of a mark is compulsory | A mark is obligatory for any goods or services offered or sold in Algeria, and a mark may not be used without registration or a pending application (Articles 3 and 4). |
| Nullity action | A court can cancel a registration back to the filing date. The action expires 5 years from registration unless the filing was in bad faith (Article 20). |
Who can register a trademark in Algeria
Whoever first meets the filing conditions, or first validly claims the earliest priority under the Paris Convention, owns the right to the mark, except where the filing is a usurpation. The right is acquired by registration with INAPI (Articles 5 and 6).
Representation. Unless a reciprocity agreement applies, applicants domiciled abroad must be represented before INAPI by a representative appointed under the regulations in force (Article 13).
Trademark registration process in Algeria
Search
- Search the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), through your Algerian representative.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- Publication and any opposition steps follow the implementing regulations (Article 13).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Algeria trademark validity and renewal
- A registration lasts 10 years, counted back to the filing date.
- Renew for consecutive 10-year periods under the implementing rules.
- A renewal takes effect on the day after expiry.
- Keep serious use going to avoid revocation after 3 years.
Confirm the exact renewal window with INAPI and diarise it early, because the ordinance leaves the procedure to regulation.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Algerian trademark
Assignment
Written and signed
The transfer must be written and signed, or it is void (Article 15).
Licence
Recorded
The licence contract has set contents and is entered in the register (Articles 16 and 17).
Renunciation
Total or partial
An owner can renounce the registration for all or some goods or services (Article 19).
Collective marks
Special rules
A collective mark cannot be assigned, licensed or pledged (Article 24).
Non-use and cancellation of a Algerian trademark
A court can cancel a registration with retroactive effect where it should not have been registered, on request of INAPI or a third party. The action cannot be brought if the mark acquired distinctiveness after registration, and it expires 5 years from registration unless bad faith is shown (Article 20). A court revokes a mark for non-use on request of an interested third party (Article 21).
Keep dated proof of use in Algeria: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Algeria
Ask INAPI for the register entry and check the publication and renewal dates. The licence register is kept by INAPI (Article 17).
Sources used
- Ordinance No. 03-06 of 19 July 2003 on Trademarks (Algeria), official French text on WIPO Lex, Articles 1 to 40, translated by us.
- INAPI for the implementing regulations, fees, forms and the current renewal procedure.
Algeria trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Algeria, and from when?
10 years, with effect back to the filing date, renewable for consecutive periods of 10 years (Article 5). It counts back to the filing date (Article 5).
When should I renew a Algerian trademark, and is there a grace period?
The ordinance allows renewal for consecutive 10-year periods, with the procedure set by the implementing texts (Article 5). We confirm the current renewal window with INAPI.
What is the opposition period in Algeria?
The ordinance does not set an opposition period. Publication and any opposition steps are set by regulation (Article 13), so we confirm the current rule with INAPI before filing.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Algeria?
The official fee is set by the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Algeria?
Yes. Applicants domiciled abroad must be represented before INAPI by a representative appointed under the regulations, unless a reciprocity agreement says otherwise (Article 13). We arrange this.
Can I assign a Algerian trademark?
Rights can be assigned in whole or in part or pledged. The transfer must be in writing and signed by the parties, or it is void, and it is void if it misleads the public (Articles 14 and 15). A licence must state the mark, its term, the goods or services and the territory or quality control, and must be recorded in the trademark register (Articles 16 and 17).
Can a Algerian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
Exercise of the right depends on serious use. Non-use leads to revocation unless it has lasted no more than 3 uninterrupted years, or the owner proves serious circumstances before that period ends, which can extend it by up to 2 years. Revocation is requested by an interested third party before the court (Articles 11 and 21).
How can I check the status of a Algerian trademark?
Use the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority under the Paris Convention applies, and a person who showed the goods under the mark at an official or officially recognised international exhibition can claim priority if they file within 3 months of the exhibition closing (Articles 5 and 6).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Algeria
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Algerian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
