Patents Laws in Morocco
Hereโs an overview of Patent Laws in Morocco:
๐ Governing Law
Industrial Property Code (Law No. 17-97), enacted in 2002, governs patents and other industrial property rights.
Morocco updated this law in 2016 to align with international standards.
๐๏ธ Regulatory Authority
Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC)
Website: www.ompic.ma
OMPIC manages patent filings, examinations, grants, and registrations.
๐ Patentable Inventions
To be patentable in Morocco, an invention must be:
New (Novel)
Involve an Inventive Step
Be Industrially Applicable
Patentable subject matter includes:
Products
Processes
Any technical inventions
๐ซ Non-Patentable Inventions
Excluded from patentability:
Discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods
Aesthetic creations
Business methods, except those involving technical means
Methods of surgical or therapeutic treatment of humans or animals
Inventions contrary to public order or morality
๐ Patent Term
Patent protection lasts for 20 years from the filing date.
Annual maintenance fees are required to keep the patent in force.
๐ Application Procedure
Filing patent application with OMPIC.
Application must include:
Description of the invention
Claims
Abstract
Drawings (if applicable)
OMPIC conducts formal examination.
Request for substantive examination must be filed within 18 months of filing.
If the invention meets criteria, the patent is granted and published.
Third parties may file oppositions within a specified period after publication.
๐ International Treaties
Morocco is a member of:
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Paris Convention
Madrid Protocol (for trademarks)
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) โ not a member, but cooperates on IP issues.
๐ต Fees
Filing fees
Examination fees
Grant fees
Annual renewal fees
โ Key Points
Moroccoโs patent system is harmonized with international standards.
The request for substantive examination is mandatory to advance prosecution.
Patent protection can be enforced through Moroccan courts.
Accelerated examination procedures are available for certain inventions.
RELATED Blog
0 comments