Intellectual Property

Your brands, inventions and know-how are often among your most valuable assets, and in Egypt they are protected only to the extent you have registered, documented and enforced them correctly. Trademarks and patents are granted by local registries under Egyptian law, so protection elsewhere does not automatically extend here.

Al Majidi Law Firm advises multinational and foreign companies on protecting and enforcing intellectual property in Egypt. We handle registration, licensing and disputes, so that your rights are secured when you enter the market and defended when they are challenged.

Our Intellectual Property Services in Egypt

Trademark Registration and Protection

Registering your trademark in Egypt is the most reliable way to secure your brand and to act against copycats. Our work includes:

• Trademark searches to check availability and identify conflicts before you file.
• Filing applications with the Internal Trade Development Authority (ITDA), and managing renewals, modifications and assignments.
• Handling oppositions, including filing them against conflicting applications and defending your own applications from challenge.
• Enforcing your rights against infringement, counterfeiting and unfair competition.

Patent Registration and Portfolio Management

Egyptian patents are examined and granted by the Egyptian Patent Office, and Egypt is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). We advise on:

• Patentability assessments and prior art searches.
• Preparing and filing patent applications, and responding to examination.
• Managing patent portfolios, renewals and licensing.
• Enforcing patents through litigation and dispute resolution.

Copyright Protection

Copyright arises automatically on creation of a qualifying work, but proper documentation and contracts make it far easier to prove and enforce. We advise on:

• Voluntary copyright deposit and evidence of ownership for literary, artistic, musical and digital works, including software.
• Copyright assignments, licensing and royalty agreements.
• Action against unauthorised use, copying and distribution.

Industrial Designs and Trade Secrets

• Registering industrial designs to protect the appearance of your products.
• Drafting and enforcing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and confidentiality clauses.
• Advising on trade secret protection and internal IP policies, including staff confidentiality obligations. See our Employment practice.

IP Licensing and Commercialization

• Structuring IP licences, technology transfer arrangements and joint ventures.
• Advising on franchise and distribution arrangements that involve your brand. See our Commercial Contracts practice.
• Advising on IP valuation and how to monetise your portfolio.

IP Disputes and Enforcement

When your rights are infringed, or you face a claim, we represent you before Egyptian courts, regulatory bodies and arbitration tribunals. We handle infringement claims, domain name disputes and unfair competition cases, and advise on alternatives to litigation. Learn more about our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice.

Why Multinationals Choose Al Majidi for IP in Egypt

• Full lifecycle coverage. We handle registration, licensing, enforcement and disputes, so your IP strategy does not have to be split across several advisers.
• Local procedure knowledge. We work with Egyptian registries and courts, and know how filings, oppositions and enforcement actions run in practice.
• Coordination with your global team. We work with your in-house counsel and international IP firms, and support Egyptian filings that fit into your worldwide portfolio.
• Connected to your business. IP issues come up in transactions, contracts, employment and disputes, and our other practice teams work alongside ours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my trademark in Egypt?
Yes, in practice. Registration in Egypt gives you the clearest basis for enforcing your rights here. Egyptian law provides some protection for internationally well-known marks even if unregistered, but relying on that is risky and difficult to prove.

Can a foreign company register a trademark or patent in Egypt?
Yes. Foreign companies can file in Egypt through a local representative, usually supported by a power of attorney. We manage the process on your behalf.

Can I oppose a conflicting trademark application?
Yes. After a trademark application is published, interested parties have a limited period, 60 days from publication, to file an opposition. Missing this period can significantly reduce your options, so brand owners should monitor new filings.

How long does patent protection last in Egypt?
Patents are protected for 20 years from the filing date in Egypt, subject to payment of annual fees.

Do I need to register copyright in Egypt?
Copyright arises automatically once a work is created. A voluntary deposit is available and helps as evidence in a dispute.

What should I do if someone is using my brand in Egypt?
Gather evidence of the use, confirm what rights you hold in Egypt, and contact us before sending any warning. The right response depends on whether you are registered, how the mark is being used and how quickly you need to act.

Protect Your IP in Egypt

Entering the Egyptian market or facing an infringement problem? Contact Al Majidi Law Firm for a confidential discussion of your IP position and the steps we recommend.

Contact Us · info@almajidilaw.com