P1: Can a patent search be conducted?
Not officially, but can a proper search be conducted through our own databases.
P2: Can a patent application be filed without its complete documents?
Yes, while submitting the remaining documents (mainly the translations) at a later stage within a specified period of time.
P3: Can convention priority be claimed?
Yes.
P4: Can a registration be obtained for pharmaceutical products?
Yes.
P5: What is the term of protection of a patent and from which date is it calculated?
20 years, it is calculated from the date of the PCT application.
P6: Is there a novelty requirement? Is it local or worldwide?
Absolute novelty is required.
P7: Is patent protection inclusive of software?
Software is protected by copyright law.
P8: Can the specifications or claims be amended?
Yes, but only after the preliminary search report and before the issuance of the patent.
P9: Could annuity payments be made before the granting of the patent?
No, annuities can only be paid upon the acceptance of the patent.
P10: In what language should specifications and claims of the patent be filed?
In French or Arabic.
P11: What are the conditions that might lead to a compulsory license?
Only if the object of the invention concerns national security; in such case the government may take the invention through a compulsory licensing.
P12: Does the Patent Law include for licenses or registered users?
Yes.
P13: Does the Patents Office publish the patent applications on the national website?
Yes.
P14: Are plant variety patents accepted in Morocco?
Plants are protected under the local Plant Variety law.
P15: Is it possible to initiate the national phase of a PCT application?
Yes.
P16: Is it possible to recover a patent whose annuities have not been paid on time?
Only in very limited cases, with filing a restoration request explaining force majeure events.