EGYPT – Establishment of the Egyptian Organisation for Intellectual Property Rights

Following the launch of Egypt’s National Intellectual Property strategy by Prime Minister Moustfa Madbouly in September 2022, Law No. 163 of 2023 was recently ratified by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and officially published in the Official Gazette on 13^th August 2023.

Law No. 163 of 2023 provides for the establishment of the Egyptian Organisation for Intellectual Property Rights (“EOIPR”). The intention is that EOIPR will enable the development of the Egyptian intellectual property system in line with Egypt’s sustainable development goals while providing for the regulation and protection of intellectual property rights in Egypt.

In addition to consolidating the mandates of various existing Ministries, EOIPR will replace the current Patent Office and the Plant Variety Protection Office, in effect becoming the sole custodian of the Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, No. 82 of 2002.

EOIPR’s primary function will be to provide for the regulation and protection of intellectual property rights in Egypt through:

• Providing for the adoption and updating of Egypt’s national intellectual property strategy;
• Providing for the registration, filing and issuing of documents for the protection of intellectual property rights;
• Development of a intellectual property database, including creating registers of trade mark and patent owners;
• Fostering co-operation and compliance with international and regional organisations responsible for the protection of intellectual property rights; and
• Highlighting the importance of intellectual property in Egypt.

Whilst this appears to be a very positive development and a show of Egypt’s commitment to achieving their intellectual property strategy goals, there is still work to be done before EOIPR will become fully functioning as intended.

Source: Establishment of the Egyptian authority for intellectual property – Lexology