Morocco is a PCT member state since October 8, 1999. In Morocco, patent applications are examined as to formal requirements and to substantive requirements based on an assessment of the invention against the criteria of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. A Patent Examiner reviews the application and searches the prior art to decide whether the application meets the requirements of patentability.

The PTO will prepare a preliminary search report with an opinion on the basis of the claims, descriptions and drawings, if applicable. The preliminary search report once prepared shall be notified to the applicant or his agent. Afterwards, a final search report will be issued.

A patent application will be published after a period of 18 months from the filing date or of the eldest priority date, if it is not rejected or withdrawn. 

If a patent application is accepted, the applicant will be notified to pay an amount to obtain the patent letter and pay the due annuity fees. 

In other words, annuities for any pending patent applications are now payable after grant only and upon acceptance, whether filed before or after the law change on December 18, 2014. 

The validity of a patent is 20 years, and according to PCT page on WIPO website, “Law Art. No. 82 MA.12 ANNUAL FEES.  Renewal fees for a patent application must be paid to the Office for the years following that in which the patent has been granted. The owner of a patent who has not paid the renewal fees within the prescribed time limit may incur the loss of his rights. However, the fees may validly be paid within a further six-month period as of the date of expiry of the time limit; in this case, a surcharge is added for each month of delay in payment (see Annex MA.I). If the renewal fees have not been paid by the end of the additional six-month period, the owner of a patent loses his rights, and a written and substantiated decision of the Office as to the loss of rights is communicated to the owner of the patent or the agent.”