Patents Laws in Lebanon
Here’s a concise overview of patent laws in Lebanon:
Patent Laws in Lebanon
Patent protection in Lebanon is governed primarily by the Lebanese Intellectual Property Law No. 75/2018, which consolidated and updated the IP legal framework in Lebanon. The law covers patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights.
Key Aspects of Patent Law in Lebanon
1. Patentability Criteria
To be patentable, an invention must:
Be new (novelty)
Involve an inventive step (non-obviousness)
Have industrial applicability (usefulness)
Non-patentable inventions include:
Scientific theories and mathematical methods
Discoveries of natural substances
Methods of medical treatment
Plant or animal varieties
Aesthetic creations (covered under copyright)
2. Types of Patents
Standard Patents for inventions meeting all patentability criteria.
Lebanon does not currently recognize utility models or petty patents.
3. Patent Duration
The patent term is 20 years from the filing date, non-renewable.
4. Patent Application Process
Applications must be filed with the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade – Directorate General of Intellectual Property.
Requirements include a detailed description, claims, abstract, and drawings if applicable.
Applications undergo a formal examination followed by substantive examination.
Applications are published after 18 months from the filing date.
Patent rights begin upon grant and publication.
5. Foreign Applicants
Foreign applicants can file directly or through a local patent agent.
Lebanon is a member of the Paris Convention, so foreign applicants may claim priority within 12 months of their first filing in a member country.
Lebanon is not a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
6. Patent Enforcement
Patent holders have exclusive rights to prevent unauthorized manufacture, use, sale, or import of the patented invention.
Infringement can lead to civil, administrative, and criminal sanctions.
Patent holders can license or assign their rights.
7. Compulsory Licensing
The government may grant compulsory licenses under exceptional circumstances, such as public interest, national emergencies, or non-working of the patent.
8. International Treaties
Lebanon is a member of:
Paris Convention (since 1953)
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Lebanon is not a member of the PCT.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Lebanese IP Law No. 75/2018 |
| Patent Term | 20 years from filing date |
| Patentability Criteria | Novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability |
| Application Process | Formal + substantive examination |
| Foreign Applicants | May claim Paris priority, local agent recommended |
| Utility Models | Not recognized |
| Enforcement | Civil, administrative, criminal remedies |
| International Treaties | Paris Convention, WIPO |
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