To further support Egypt’s Vision 2030, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ratified Decree No. 163, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Egyptian Organization for Intellectual Property Rights (EOIPR). This is following the launch of the country’s National IP Strategy in 2022, published in the Official Gazette on August 13, 2023, and enforced the next day.

In September 2022, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly introduced this national strategy for IP with the goal to change how IP is organized by creating a national system for IP and reviewing current laws. The plan is comprised of two parts, with the establishment of the EOIPR being the second part.

In accordance with Egypt’s international obligations, the EOIPR aims to regulate and protect IP rights in the country. The EOIPR will also become the main organization responsible for tasks previously handled by multiple ministries and authorities. These include the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Supply and Internal Trade, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Culture, Trade and Economy, the Media Council, and the Patent Office, among others. This consolidation will effectively bring together Egypt’s intellectual property efforts under one unified authority.

At the core of the EOIPR’s operations will be a team responsible for creating and implementing strategic plans to achieve the organization’s goals. The EOIPR is also designed to be financially self-sustaining, relying on foreign grants, donations and service fees to fund its operations. The agency’s headquarters will be strategically located in Cairo, with branches extending across the country to ensure nationwide coverage.

The EOIPR will play a pivotal role in formulating, updating and implementing the National IP Strategy in collaboration with other relevant ministries and authorities. The agency will also oversee the registration of IP rights and the issuance of IP protection documents, such as registration certificates and grants.

In addition, the EOIPR and its appointed head will replace the ministers, authorities and institutions currently responsible for enforcing laws protecting IP rights and their respective executive regulations, as per Article 2 of the decree.

Decree No. 163 is to be implemented within one calendar year. If necessary, a six-month extension may be granted by a ministerial decision.

The approval of this decree and the unification of authorities is a significant leap forward for Egypt’s IP protection.

- Kristin Jerome Reyna