F.A.Q
Patent F.A.Q
Yes, within three months as from filing date.
For the priority document, if any, it can be submitted within four months as from the expiration date of the priority
20 years, it is calculated as from the international filing date (PCT application) or from date of filing in Morocco (convention patent).
Yes, in Morocco there are provisions for such time extension to be granted, if it satisfies some conditions.
Yes, the claims can be amended after the issuance of the search/examination report.
If an annuity is not timely paid, your patent right will lapse. It may only be restored in particularly exceptional circumstances.
In general NO. But possible through the PPH (Patent Prosecution Highway)
The invention should be novel, involve an inventive step and applicable industrially.
- Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematic methods.
- Aesthetic creations.
- Representation of information.
- Plans, principles and methods relating to intellectual activities, in the field of games or economic activities, as well as computer software.
However, are patentable inventions that involves use of a computer, computer network or other programmable apparatus.
- Inventions that are against public order and morality.
- Methods of surgical and therapeutic treatment of human or animal body, as well as methods of diagnostic applicable on human or animal body, except for products, substances or compositions used for realization of such methods.
- Plant varieties and animal breeds, as well as biological process for their obtaining.
Divisional applications are generally requested in cases where the parent application may lack of unity of invention, at the initiative of the applicant before grant, or at the request of the Moroccan PTO after issuance of the search/examination report on patentability.
Divisional applications should not exceed the scope of the parent application, and maintain the same filing date and priority, if any.
Yes. See validation of an EP
Annuities become due for payment after grant of the patent application.
The patent application is published within 18 months as from filing date or the earliest priority date
The patent procedure can take about 22-24 months on average, and depends on the technical field and backlog of work.
Patent protection is generally granted for 20 years from the filing date of the application in Morocco (convention patent) or the international filing date (PCT application).