In June 2001 the Egyptian parliament approved in principle a new intellectual property rights (IPR) law ahead of departure of the Egyptian delegation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Geneva. According to the WTO agreement, signatory countries are expected to bring their laws on copyrights, patents, trademarks, and other areas of intellectual property in line with the TRIPs agreement. They also have to provide effective methods of enforcement. This preliminary approval comes after referral of the laws by the Advisory (Shoura) Council to the Parliament in May.
The law has been approved only in principle and will be subject to discussion once the Parliament reconvenes after the summer break.
The Parliament voted on allowing a ministerial committee (IPC Council) to manage the enforcement of compulsory licensing of any product seen crucial for national security, public health, and/or the environment.
The IPR Council would over the time include the Ministries of Scientific Research, Health, Trade and Industry, Supply, Economy, Industry, Culture, Media, and Agriculture.
It is expected that the law would be issued by the end of the year. Further updates will be included in the AGIP Bulletin.