Libya

General Information

  • Area: Approximately 1 759 540 km2
  • Population: 6.5 million
  • Capital: Tripoli
  • Currency: Libyan Dinar
  • GDP: $ 89 billion (2010)
  • Domain name extension: .ly
  • Languages: Arabic (official language)
  • Exports: Crude oil; refined petroleum products; natural gas; chemicals
  • Imports: Machinery; transport equipment; manufactured goods

International / Regional conventions:

  • Berne Convention
  • Paris Convention
  • Patent Cooperation Treaty
  • WIPO Convention

Trade Mark Information

International and Regional Arrangements:

Madrid Agreement: No
Paris Union: Yes

Types of Trade Marks:

Goods and services
Collective marks
Certification marks

Classification:

The International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification) is applied.

Filing Requirements:

Particulars of Applicant (name, address and nationality)
Power of Attorney incorporating an Arabic translation, legalized up to the Libyan Consulate
Certificate of Incorporation, legalized up to the Libyan Consulate, with verified Arabic translation
Representation of the mark
List of goods and / or services

Duration:

The trade mark is registered 10 years from the filing date

Renewal:
Renewable every 10 years

Patent Information

International and Regional Arrangements:

Paris Convention: Yes
PCT: Yes (national phase deadline is 30 months from the priority date)
ARIPO: No
OAPI: No

Filing Requirements:

Published PCT application or English specification, claims and abstract if non-PCT (required on day of filing)
Arabic translation of specification, claims, abstract and drawings (can be filed within 2 months of filing date)
Power of Attorney, legalised (simply signed copy required on day of filing, original can be filed within 2 months of filing date)
Assignment of Invention, legalized (can be filed within 2 months of filing date)
Certificate of Incorporation, legalized with Arabic translation thereof (can be filed within 2 months of filing date)
International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability (no set deadline)
Certified priority document with Arabic translation thereof (if not filed during the international phase) (can be filed within 2 months of filing date)

Novelty
Local novelty only is required
Patentability
Methods of treatment, surgery and diagnosis are not patentable
Excess Fees:
None
Examination:
As to form only
Term of Patent:
10 years for patents relating to foodstuffs, medicines and pharmaceutical preparations 15 years for all other patents, in certain circumstances extendable for a further 5 years
Renewals:
Payable annually on the anniversary date of the effective filing date, but only due after grant of the patent