Lebanon: Summary of the Patent Registration System in Lebanon

Patents are granted for 15 years from the filing date. Patents of addition are granted for the unexpired term of the principal patent.

A patent application should be filed before the relevant invention has been used or published in either Lebanon or abroad. Patent applications are not subject to examination as to novelty.

Pharmaceutical formulae and compounds are not patentable, only the methods of production are patentable. Opposition to the grant of patents is not provided for. Taxes for maintaining patents are payable annually on the anniversary date of filing. There is a six-month grace period for late renewal of a patent.

A patent may be declared void unless the invention has been worked in Lebanon within 2 years from the date of grant and 3 years for nationals belonging to convention countries. There is no provision regarding the grant of a compulsory license in the absence of working. In order to be effective against third parties, the assignment of a patent should be recorded with the Patent Office within three months from the date of the assignment.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

For further information you make also like to view the Intellectual Property Bulletins published monthly by Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property - IP Bulletins