Summary of the guide:
- Laws relating to Trademark in Lebanon
- Trademark registration process in Lebanon
- How long does it take to get a trademark registration in Lebanon?
- Examination criteria for trademarks in Lebanon
- Costs for trademark registration in Lebanon
- How long is a trademark protected for?
- When does the protection of a trademark in Lebanon start?
- What trademark classes are available in Lebanon?
- What are the documents required for trademark protection in Lebanon?
- What are important deadlines for trademark protection in Lebanon?
- Are international trademarks available in Lebanon?
- National Vs International trademark in Lebanon?
- Local tips for trademark registration in Lebanon
- Important Notes
- Service level guarantee for trademark registration in Lebanon
Laws relating to Trademark in Lebanon
In Lebanon, the main law governing trademarks is Law No. 67 of 1999 on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, which came into effect on January 13, 2000. This law provides for the registration, protection, and enforcement of trademarks in Lebanon.
Trademark registration process in Lebanon
A smooth trademark registration generally passes through three phases:
Filing – you file the trademark at the TM department.
Publication – if the mark is accepted and not rejected, it will be published for 90 days. No one can oppose the said publication. You may file a cancellation action against the infringed mark within 5 years from the date of registration of the trademark.
Registration – after the opposition/publication period ends, you can pay the final registration fees and receive your trademark certificate.
How long does it take to get a trademark registration in Lebanon?
It takes about two weeks to complete the registration process for a trademark, and the corresponding registration certificate is issued within two weeks of the date of registration under the usual circumstances.
Examination criteria for trademarks in Lebanon
The examination criteria are both on absolute grounds and relative grounds:
Absolute grounds for trademark refusals in Lebanon are:
- Trademarks that are devoid of any distinctive character.
- Trademarks exclusively consist of signs regularly used in trade, to refer to a type, kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, or other characteristics relating to the goods or service the trademark is registered on.
- Trademarks which exclusively consist of signs or indications that are used in the normal course of the trade.
- Trademarks that are contrary to public policy.
- Trademarks that are contrary to public morals and ethics.
- Trademarks that deceive the public, as to the nature, quality, or source of the goods or services.
- Trademarks which include public emblems, flags, and other symbols relating to the state, Arab, or international organizations, or one of their institutions, or a foreign state unless so authorized by it, as well as any imitation of such emblems, flags, or symbols.
- Trademarks include symbols of the Red Crescent or Red Cross and other similar imitating symbols.
- Trademarks that are similar to or resemble symbols of a purely religious character.
- Trademarks are geographical names whose protection or use create confusion as to the origin or source of the goods, the products, or the services.
- Trademarks are essentially the name, surname, picture, or emblem of a third party unless prior approval is provided.
- Trademarks which are indications of honorary distinctions that the applicant for registration cannot prove.
Relative grounds for trademark refusals - assess whether a trademark application filed in Lebanon may confuse due to the similarity with a previously registered or famous trademark locally.
Costs for trademark registration in Lebanon
Costs relating to trademark registration are both official and professional. Official fees are fees paid to the government for processing your trademark registration and are required to be paid for each phase of the process.
Professional fees for trademark registration
Our professional fees range from USD160 to USD299 depending on the package you choose. Once you are ready to start, choose the package you want and you will see the total official fees and professional fees for each package.
Official fees for trademark registration
In Lebanon the total official fee for trademark registration is USD95.
How long is a trademark protected for?
A trademark is valid for 15 years from the filing date.
When does the protection of a trademark in Lebanon start?
Trademark registration is valid for 10 years calculated from the filing date. To maintain protection after 10 years, a brand owner should renew the trademark by filing a renewal application.
What trademark classes are available in Lebanon?
A trademark owner who is usually referred to as an applicant has to file a trademark on each class required since Lebanon is a multi-class system. You can register your trademark on a number of classes. An applicant can protect a trademark on all 45 classes. Every trademark is registered on a specific list of goods (products or services). In Lebanon, there is no limitation on the number of classes you can register your trademark on.
What are the documents required for trademark protection in Lebanon?
A Power of Attorney
- To protect your trademark in Lebanon you will need a power of attorney.
- If you are a resident or a national of Lebanon, then the power of attorney should be notarized
- If you are not a resident nor a national of Lebanon, then the power of attorney should be legalized.
Trade License / Commercial Certificate / Certificate of Good Standing:
- To protect your trademark in Lebanon you will need a copy of the trade license.
- If you are a resident or a national of Lebanon, then a copy of the trade license is sufficient.
- If you are not a resident nor a national of Lebanon, then there is no requirement to submit a trade license.
What are important deadlines for trademark protection in Lebanon?
The documents can be submitted 60 days after filing.
Are international trademarks available in Lebanon?
An international application can not designate Lebanon. If you want to register your trademark nationally in Lebanon, a local application is filed nationally at the Ministry of economy.
National Vs International trademark in Lebanon?
Lebanon is not a party to Madrid so there are no international applications available in Lebanon.
Local tips for trademark registration in Lebanon
- Submit a clear and distinctive representation of your trademark to facilitate the examination process. This can include a logo, a wordmark, or a combination of both.
- Choose the correct trademark class(es) for your products or services to avoid any potential issues with your registration.
Important Notes
Service level guarantee for trademark registration in Lebanon
If you require approval from management, you can print this page and obtain approvals. Remember to choose the package you want. If you are not a lawyer, we recommend you choose the premium package. We have individually vetted all trademark agents and have provided them with a proprietary system owned by Easy Trademarks to guarantee the level of service you will receive.
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