Trademarks are registered through the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC).

You can register words, logos, names, 3D signs, sounds, colors, or any sign capable of distinguishing goods or services.

A trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods.

Yes, Morocco uses the Nice Classification to categorize goods and services.

Yes, a single application can cover multiple classes of goods or services.

Yes, third parties may file an opposition within 2 months from the date of publication of the trademark.

No, use is not required at the time of registration; however, non-use for 5 consecutive years may result in cancellation.

Yes, foreign applicants can register a trademark but must do so through a local IP agent or attorney.

Yes, Morocco is a party to both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol.

Yes, Sound and smell marks are accepted.

Patents are filed with OMPIC (Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale).

Patent protection lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annual renewal fees.

Yes, Morocco joined the PCT in 2015.

The invention must be novel, involve an inventive step, and be industrially applicable.

Yes, patents can be granted for pharmaceutical products and processes.

Yes, OMPIC conducts both formal and substantive examinations.

Yes, foreign applicants can apply directly, via the PCT national phase, or through a local agent.

No, Morocco does not currently provide protection for utility models.

Discoveries, scientific theories, aesthetic creations, and methods for the treatment of humans or animals are not patentable.

Yes, patents can be licensed or assigned, but such agreements must be registered with OMPIC.

Designs are registered with OMPIC.

An industrial design protects the ornamental or aesthetic appearance of a product that is new and original.

Protection lasts 5 years and can be renewed in 5-year periods up to a maximum of 25 years.

Yes, Morocco joined the Hague Agreement in 2004.

Yes, foreigners can register designs either directly or through international applications via WIPO.

Morocco provides a limited grace period under Article 105 of Law 17-97. A design is generally considered new only if it has not been made publicly available before the filing date. However, if the design is first disclosed at an official or officially recognized international exhibition, such disclosure will not affect its novelty, provided that the application is filed within six months of the exhibition.

Outside of such international exhibitions, any public disclosure before filing may jeopardize the design’s novelty and eligibility for protection.

Yes, designs that are contrary to public order or morality are excluded from protection.

Yes, OMPIC conducts only a formal examination up to now; no substantive examination of novelty or originality is performed, although this may change in the future.

No, legal protection requires registration.

Yes, but assignments and licenses must be registered with OMPIC.

Copyright protects literary, musical, dramatic, artistic, software, films, databases, and architectural works.

No, copyright protection arises automatically upon creation. However, registration provides evidence of ownership.

Copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years after their death.

Yes, moral rights are recognized and are perpetual, inalienable, and non-transferable.

Yes, Morocco is a member of treaties including the Berne Convention, TRIPS, and the WIPO Copyright Treaty.

Yes, software is protected as a literary work, including both source code and object code.

Yes, both economic rights and licenses can be transferred or licensed by contract.

Yes, registration can be done at the Bureau Marocain du Droit d’Auteur (BMDA). In addition, copyright can also be filed with OMPIC through the E-datage system, providing an additional layer of proof of ownership.

Yes, Morocco recognizes exceptions for education, research, and private copying, within defined limits.

Penalties include fines, damages, injunctions, seizure of infringing materials, and in some cases criminal sanctions.