Final report -- intellectual property rights in Egypt : an institutional assessment

Important segments of Egypt"s economy lack intellectual property protection. Egypt"s industrial property offices -- the Patent Office, the Trademark Office, and the Industrial Designs office -- are not providing the services that are needed by Egypt"s industry and the public. It takes too long to register a mark or obtain a patent, and Industrial Designs are neither published nor available for inspection. The Trademark and Industrial Designs Offices conduct all operations by hand and lack the basic tools and materials necessary to perform their duties. All 3 offices are in need of space, training, reference materials, and equipment. Egypt"s goal of a world-class intellectual property system can be met through a 3-point plan. First, an Industrial Property Office should be established. The Patent, Trademark, and Industrial Designs Offices should be combined under a single administration and located in a single facility. To finance enhancement and maintenance of its options, this Industrial Property Office should be permitted to retain at least a portion of income generated by its operations. Second, the legal framework for intellectual property should be improved. The draft patent law should be adopted as soon as practical. The trademark and industrial designs laws should be amended to provide for publication and examination of industrial designs and for other improvements. A system of protection of plant varieties is also needed to protect and encourage development of Egypt"s agricultural sector. Guidelines are needed in each area. Third, the Industrial Property Office should be provided with adequate resources. A performance-based incentives awards program should be established to attract and retain high-quality staff, and training should be provided for personnel. A capital equipment fund should be established to maintain up-to-date equipment. Modern office equipment should be provided, including computer work stations for conducting searches and storing documents. Records should be secured, and all marks and industrial designs should be recorded in a computer-searchable data file. Improved public services should be offered to the industrial, scientific, and academic communities. Several problems have been identified with the copyright system, and a number of improvements have been made or are under way to address those problems. No recommendations for further changes in the copyright system are made at present. (Author abstract)