Intellectual Property & Trademark in Egypt

Intellectual property work in Egypt

Our Cairo branch handles Egyptian intellectual property matters directly: trademark filings, renewals, assignment and licence recordals, portfolio reviews and enforcement support. The head office in Kuwait and the Cairo branch coordinate cross-border portfolios for clients operating across the region.

The Egyptian IP framework

The main statute is Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Book One covers patents, utility models, layout-designs of integrated circuits and undisclosed information; Book Two covers marks, trade names, geographical indications and industrial designs; Book Three covers copyright and related rights; Book Four covers plant varieties. Trademark registration sits with the Trademark Administration of the Internal Trade Development Authority at the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, which keeps the trademark register.

Trademark registration and term

Applications follow the Nice Classification, with examination and publication before registration. A registration lasts ten years from the application date and is renewable for equal periods. Priority from an earlier foreign application can be claimed within six months. Egypt is a long-standing member of the Madrid Agreement and has been bound by the Madrid Protocol since 3 September 2009, so a foreign owner can also reach Egypt through an international registration, and an Egyptian owner can file outward.

Enforcement and portfolio management

Assignments and licences should be recorded so they can be relied on against third parties, and timely renewals and watch services keep a portfolio enforceable. Where a mark is imitated or a brand is abused, we map the administrative and court routes before acting. For related commercial contracts, see General Commercial & Corporate; to scope an Egyptian filing or a portfolio review, contact our team.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which law governs trademarks in Egypt?

Trademarks are governed by Book Two of Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. The same statute covers patents (Book One), copyright and related rights (Book Three) and plant varieties (Book Four).

How long does a trademark registration last in Egypt?

Ten years from the application date, renewable for equal periods. Keeping renewals and recordals current preserves the enforceability of the mark.

Can a foreign company protect its brand in Egypt?

Yes. A foreign owner can file nationally with the Trademark Administration of the Internal Trade Development Authority, or designate Egypt in an international registration under the Madrid Protocol, in force for Egypt since 3 September 2009. Our Cairo branch handles filings, renewals and recordals directly.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in Egypt · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Saudi Arabia · Intellectual Property & Trademark in the UAE · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Qatar · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Oman · Intellectual Property & Trademark in Bahrain