The short answer
An Egyptian trademark is protected for 10 years, and registration takes effect from the filing date. File the renewal in the last year of protection, or within 6 months after expiry with a supplement. After the Department publishes the accepted application, any interested party can oppose within 60 days. A court can cancel a mark that has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years.
Trademark deadlines in Egypt at a glance
These rules come from Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (Book Three, trademarks), in the English text on WIPO Lex, which is the 2002 version. The Law has been amended since, most recently by Law No. 178 of 2020, so we check the amended Arabic text and the Executive Regulations before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, renewable for identical periods (Article 90). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date. The registration of a mark takes effect from the date of filing the application (Article 83). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal request within the last year of the protection period, with the fees due (Article 90). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. You can request renewal within 6 months after expiry, with the prescribed fees and a supplement fixed by the Regulations (Article 90). If you do not, the Department cancels the mark from the register. |
| Opposition period | 60 days from the date of publication of the accepted application, in writing with reasons. The applicant has 30 days from notification to answer, or is considered to have withdrawn the application (Article 80). |
| Priority claim | Convention and WTO priority are available. We confirm the period and the formalities in the Law and Regulations at filing. |
| Non-use | The competent court can cancel a registration, on request of any interested party, if the mark has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years (Article 91). A cancelled mark can be re-registered by its owner alone within 3 years (Article 92). |
| Assignment | A transfer, mortgage or attachment is not valid against third parties unless it is recorded in the register and published in the Official Gazette (Article 89). |
| Ownership after use | A person who registers a mark and uses it for 5 years from the registration date is deemed its owner, unless a third party proves earlier use. A prior user can challenge the registration within those 5 years, or at any time if it was registered in bad faith (Article 65). |
| Appeal | The Department's decision on an opposition can be appealed before the Administrative Court under the Council of State rules (Article 82). |
Who can register a trademark in Egypt
Individuals and companies from WTO member countries, or from countries that apply reciprocity to Egypt, can apply to the Trademarks Office. Egypt examines the application, publishes it for opposition and then registers the mark.
Representation. The Law says Egyptian and foreign persons from WTO member countries, or countries that apply reciprocity to Egypt, can apply (Article 66). Foreign owners normally act through an Egyptian agent, and we confirm the current requirements before filing.
Trademark registration process in Egypt
Search
- Search the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department), through your Egyptian agent.
- 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.
- Any interested party can oppose in writing within 60 days of publication. The applicant answers within 30 days (Article 80).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department) 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.
Egypt trademark validity and renewal
- The protection lasts 10 years from the filing date.
- Renew within the last year of protection.
- A late renewal is possible within 6 months after expiry, with a supplement.
- If you do not renew, the Department cancels the mark from the register.
- Renewal, cancellation and reinstatement are published in the Gazette (Article 93).
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Egyptian trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
A mark can be transferred independently of the business. It is valid against third parties only once recorded and published (Articles 87 and 89).
Licence
Licensing
The owner of a mark can license it. Ask us for the current recordal approach (Article 95).
Modification
Changing the mark
The owner can ask for changes that do not essentially affect the substance of the mark, under the same opposition and appeal rules (Article 85).
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address.
Non-use and cancellation of a Egyptian trademark
Under Article 91, the competent court can order cancellation of a registration at the request of any interested party if the mark has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years. A cancelled mark can be re-registered by its owner within 3 years (Article 92).
Keep dated proof of use in Egypt: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Egypt
Any person can consult the register and obtain extracts or copies on payment of a fee (Article 86). Registrations, renewals and cancellations are published in the Trademark and Industrial Designs Gazette.
Sources used
- Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, English text (2002 version) on WIPO Lex: Articles 65, 66, 80 to 83, 85 to 87, 89 to 93 and 95.
- Executive Regulations of the Law (WIPO Lex) and the Trademarks Office for fees, forms and the register. We also check later amendments, including Law No. 178 of 2020.
Egypt trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Egypt, and from when?
10 years, renewable for identical periods (Article 90). It counts from the filing date, because registration takes effect from the date of filing (Article 83).
When should I renew a Egyptian trademark, and is there a grace period?
File the renewal request within the last year of the protection period, with the fees due (Article 90).
What is the opposition period in Egypt?
60 days from the date of publication of the accepted application, in writing with reasons. The applicant has 30 days from notification to answer, or is considered to have withdrawn the application (Article 80).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Egypt?
The official fee is set by the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department) 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 Egypt?
Yes, if they belong to or have their effective centre of activity in a WTO member country or a country that applies reciprocity to Egypt (Article 66). Foreign owners normally act through an Egyptian agent.
Can I assign a Egyptian trademark?
A transfer, mortgage or attachment is not valid against third parties unless it is recorded in the register and published in the Official Gazette (Article 89).
Can a Egyptian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The competent court can cancel a registration, on request of any interested party, if the mark has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years (Article 91). A cancelled mark can be re-registered by its owner alone within 3 years (Article 92).
How can I check the status of a Egyptian trademark?
Use the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Convention and WTO priority are available. We confirm the period and the formalities in the Law and Regulations at filing.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the Trademarks Office (Trade Registry Department) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Egypt
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Egyptian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
