• Patent fees

Fees associated with filing patent applications in Lebanon, as well as other patent fees, are available in the fee calculator.

• The term for filing patent applications in Lebanon

The deadline for filing a patent application in Lebanon with claiming priority is 12 months from the priority date. The restoration of this deadline is not possible.

• Filing requirements in Lebanon

To obtain the date of filing the patent application in Lebanon must contain:
- request to grant a patent containing applicant(s) details;
- patent description, claims and drawings;
- abstract of the invention in Arabic;
- Power of Attorney, legalized by the Lebanese Consulate abroad and locally legalized by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- filing fee;
- certified copy of the priority document.

• Priority document

If priority is claimed the certified copy of the priority document must be submitted to the Patent Office within three months from filing a patent application in Lebanon.

• Language of the Lebanese patent application

The official language of the Lebanese patent application in Lebanon is Arabic; however, an application is also acceptable in French and English without the necessity of further translation into Arabic. In this case, only the abstract of the invention must be submitted in Arabic.

• Substantive examination

The Lebanese patent applications are examined according to the formal requirements. The procedure of the substantive examination is not stipulated.

• Novelty grace period

The novelty grace period provision is not stipulated in the Lebanese patent legislation.

• Grant and maintenance fees

The patent will be issued within 60 days from filing the patent application unless the applicant requests the delay of issuance. Usually, 24 to 48 hours are needed for payment of the official fees, and the date of payment is considered as the date of granting. A patent in Lebanon is valid within 20 years from the filing date. The annual maintenance fees are payable on the first day of the year following the application filing date; however six month grace period applies.

• Representation by a patent attorney

Foreign applicant(s) must be represented by an agent, a registered Lebanese patent attorney.

• Notes

1. Protection of the invention as a utility model in Lebanon is not possible.
2. Lebanon is not a member of PCT; the applications may be filed via the national procedure only within the term of 12 months from the priority date.

Brief summary is based on the information provided by NJQ & ASSOCIATES on 11.04.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Lebanese IP Laws.