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Morocco
Information on the filing of Patents, Designs and trademarks in Morocco

PATENT REGISTRATIONS

Morocco used to consist of two zones for IP matters - a Tangier zone (ex international zone) covering the northern part of Morocco including the city of Tangier and its surrounding area, and a Casablanca zone (ex French zone) covering the rest of Morocco - and separate applications had to be filed in each zone to obtain protection therein. However, a new Industrial Property Law (effective 18 December 2004) has been adopted in which the two zones have been unified so that it is no longer necessary to file separate applications in each zone. Furthermore, as of 18 December 2004, all patents filed or registered prior to 18 December 2004 in either the Tangier zone or the Casablanca zone automatically extend to the other zone.

Morocco is a member of the International Convention and of the PCT.

The requirements for filing a non-PCT application in Morocco are as follows:

(a) A Power of Attorney - no legalization or notarization necessary;

(b) An Assignment of Invention (not required if the inventor(s) and applicant(s) are the same) - no legalization or notarization necessary;

(c) A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in French; and

(d) A certified copy of the priority application.

The specification can be filed in English provided a French translation thereof is lodged within 3 months of filing. The documents listed under (a), (b), and (d) can be lodged up to 3 months after filing.

The requirements for filing a PCT application in Morocco are as follows:

(i) A Power of Attorney - no legalization or notarization necessary;

(ii) An Assignment of Invention (not required if the inventor(s) and applicant(s) are indicated on the PCT publication) - no legalization or notarization necessary;

(iii) A copy of the specification (including claims, drawings, and abstract) in French;

(iv) A certified copy of the priority application (unless already filed during the International Phase of the PCT);

(v) A copy of the PCT International advertisement;

(vi) A copy of International Search Report; and

(vii) A copy of International Preliminary Examination Report.

The copy of the PCT International advertisement is needed upon filing. Furthermore, the documents listed under (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), and (vii) can be lodged up to 3 months after filing.

Our cost estimate for filing a patent application in Morocco is between about US$ 2300.00 and US$ 2500.00 excluding translation costs, if required. This includes a surcharge for the first 1000 lines of the specification. Should the specification be between 1000 and 2000 lines, a further surcharge of about US$ 250.00 will be payable. For each additional 250 lines over 2000 lines add about US$ 130.00.

Furthermore, a cost of about US$ 30.00 for each priority claim and about US$ 60.00 for each drawing over 3 must also be added to the above. Lastly, the renewal fees for the 2nd to the 5th years must also be paid upon filing at a cost of about US$ 450.00.

 



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