The total number of Arab countries that are signatories to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) has reached 9 recently, and they are Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco & Tangier, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE.
Oman acceded the PCT on the 26th of October 2001. A new patent law has been issued recently in Oman by a Royal Decree; however, Implementing Regulations are yet to be issued. Thus, all documents related to PCT applications are submitted to the Intellectual Property Department (IPD). Clients can obtain the IPD dated acknowledgment of the documents, so that the same can be considered for entering the National Phase under the PCT later.
As for Syria, it became a party to the PCT on 26th of June 2003, but no implementing regulations or official fees for the National Phase have yet been specified. Egypt acceded the PCT on June 6, 2003. The Treaty came into force for Egypt on September 6, 2003. As for Sudan, it acceded the PCT on the 16th of April 1984.
Tunisia has deposited its instrument of accession to the PCT on the 10th of December 2001. Starting from July 2003, applicants can submit patent applications according to the PCT. United Arab Emirates acceded the PCT on 10th of March 1999. Algeria acceded the PCT on 8th of March 2000. Mauritania acceded the PCT on 13th of April 1983. Lastly, Morocco acceded the PCT on 8th of October 1999.
The PCT system offers applicants seeking patent protection in multiple countries the ability to file one "international" patent application with one patent office.
For more information or enquiries with respect to filing a PCT application in the above countries, please contact AGIP offices.