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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Morocco

To register a trademark in Morocco, file with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) through a Moroccan representative, or designate Morocco through the Madrid System. OMPIC examines only whether the sign itself can be registered, not earlier marks; earlier right holders can oppose within 2 months of publication.

Order online · Morocco trademark registration

Enter the mark, classes and applicant; an agent quotes after you submit. Once you accept the quote you pay online and can follow progress in your account.

Start your order (Morocco selected) Get a trademark search report first

Five questions first

Which route?If you only need Morocco, have a representative file online with OMPIC; if you already have a home application or registration and want several countries, designate Morocco through Madrid.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, the mark and a precise list of goods or services under the Nice Classification, with the form completed in Arabic or French; applicants based abroad need a Moroccan representative.Details ↓How are official fees charged?Online filing: MAD 1,865 including 1 class, plus MAD 372 for each extra class, paid in full at filing. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order.Details ↓How long does it take?Publication within 2 months once any deficiencies are remedied, then a 2-month opposition period (statutory); a smooth application is registered in about 4–5 months (estimate, based on the statutory periods).Details ↓What are the main risks?Earlier marks are enforced through opposition, not examination; an opposition decision can be contested within only 15 days; marks with royal or state emblems need prior authorisation.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Morocco: key facts

OfficeMoroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale, OMPIC), headquartered in Casablanca. Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawLaw No. 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property (in force since 18 March 2004, amended by Laws No. 31-05 and 23-13) and its implementing decrees
Madrid SystemParty to the Madrid Protocol (in force for Morocco since 8 October 1999); from an office of origin party to both the Madrid Agreement and the Protocol (e.g. China), designating Morocco costs only the CHF 100 complementary fee; from other offices of origin, Morocco's per-class individual fee applies
Foreign applicantsApplicants whose domicile or head office is outside Morocco must appoint a representative domiciled in Morocco; a signed power of attorney is enough, with no legalisation
LanguageThe application form is completed in Arabic or French
FilingThrough OMPIC's online platform DirectOMPIC or at an OMPIC counter; online filing costs less
Scope of examinationFormal examination plus absolute grounds such as distinctiveness and prohibited signs; earlier marks are not examined ex officio and must be enforced by their owners through opposition
Multi-class applicationsAllowed; fees are charged per application including the first class, plus a fee for each extra class
Publication (statutory)Within 2 months once any deficiencies are remedied, in OMPIC's Official Trademark Catalogue (Catalogue Officiel des Marques), issued twice a month
Opposition (statutory)2 months from publication; for Madrid designations of Morocco, 2 months from the first day of the month after OMPIC receives the Gazette of International Marks
Term and renewal10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely; renew in the 6 months before expiry, or within 6 months after with a monthly surcharge
Non-use (statutory)If a mark has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years without a valid reason, any interested party can ask the court to revoke it
Official filing feesOnline: MAD 1,865 (1 class included), plus MAD 372 for each extra class; on paper: MAD 2,400, plus MAD 480 for each extra class (standard rates, VAT included)

Checked on 2026-10-06; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Direct filing or a Madrid designation

Morocco is party to the Madrid Protocol, and both routes give a trademark right valid in Morocco, with examination and oppositions handled by OMPIC. The main differences are prerequisites, how fees are paid and representation.

ItemDirect filing with OMPICMadrid designation of Morocco
PrerequisiteNone; you can apply for Morocco aloneA basic application or registration at your office of origin, through which the international application is filed
Official feesIn dirhams under OMPIC's fee schedule: online filing includes the first class, with each extra class chargedBasic fee paid to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), plus: if your office of origin is party to both the Madrid Agreement and the Protocol (e.g. China), only the CHF 100 complementary fee for Morocco (and a supplementary fee for more than 3 classes), as Article 9sexies of the Protocol excludes the individual fee; from other offices of origin, Morocco's individual fee (per class, in Swiss francs). See the WIPO fee calculator
RepresentationApplicants domiciled abroad must appoint a Moroccan representative from filingNo Moroccan representative needed to file the international application; one domiciled in Morocco is still required to answer a refusal or handle an opposition before OMPIC
LanguageApplication form in Arabic or FrenchFiled in the language of the international application, with no separate Arabic or French form
Opposition period starts2 months from publication in the Official Trademark Catalogue2 months from the first day of the month after OMPIC receives the Gazette of International Marks
Best forYou only need Morocco, or your home mark differs from the sign or goods you will use in MoroccoYou already have a home application or registration and plan to designate several Madrid members

A Madrid designation depends on the basic mark: if it is refused or cancelled within 5 years of the international registration date, the designation of Morocco falls with it. Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will recommend a route based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a direct application to OMPIC, prepare the following information and documents.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, its registered name, in Latin script) and legal form
  • Domicile and correspondence address
  • Individuals and companies can both apply; co-owners must all be named, with one correspondence address

Representative

  • Applicants whose domicile or head office is outside Morocco must appoint a representative domiciled or established in Morocco; if you have no correspondence address in Morocco, OMPIC sends notifications to the representative
  • Representatives who are industrial property advisers on OMPIC's list generally need not file a power of attorney (except for assignments and other changes of ownership); other representatives file a signed power of attorney, with no legalisation

The mark

  • Word marks: the wording
  • Figurative or combined marks: a clear black-and-white representation; if colours are claimed, a colour representation as well
  • Sound and smell marks: a detailed description
  • Marks containing the portrait of the King or members of the royal family, the Kingdom's coat of arms or flag, official hallmarks and similar signs need the competent authority's authorisation

Goods and services

  • Specific goods or services under the Nice Classification, with their classes
  • The application form is completed in Arabic or French
  • Within 3 months of filing, only clerical errors can be corrected; the representation of the mark and the classes cannot be changed, and adding goods or services needs a new application

Priority

  • Earlier application filed abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months, stating the date, number and country of the earlier application at filing
  • File the official copy of the earlier application no later than 4 months after the priority period ends (that is, within 10 months of the first filing); if the applicant differs from the earlier applicant, add the earlier applicant's written consent

Applications can be filed through OMPIC's online platform DirectOMPIC, or at OMPIC's head office in Casablanca or a regional filing point, where a receipt showing the filing date and number is issued on the spot.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: an online application to OMPIC with no refusal or opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search OMPIC's trademark database and Madrid designations of Morocco, and check the meaning of the mark in French and Arabic

  2. Step 2

    Online filing and fees

    A receipt showing the filing date and number is issued on the spot

  3. Step 3

    Formal and absolute-grounds examination

    Missing items must be supplied within 3 months of filing (statutory), or the application is deemed withdrawn

  4. Step 4

    Publication

    Published in the Official Trademark Catalogue within 2 months once any deficiencies are remedied (statutory)

  5. Step 5

    Opposition period

    Earlier right holders can oppose within 2 months of publication (statutory)

  6. Step 6

    Registration and certificate

    With no opposition, the mark is registered, with the filing date as registration date; a smooth application takes about 4–5 months (estimate, based on the statutory periods)

OMPIC publishes no statistics on average times from filing to registration. If an opposition is filed, OMPIC must decide within 6 months of the end of the opposition period, extendable by 3 months at a party's request (statutory).

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees are charged per application (including the first class) plus each extra class and paid in full at filing; there is no separate registration fee. OMPIC's fees include VAT, and online filing is cheaper than paper filing. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, individuals, universities and others have a reduced schedule (Schedule 1); the table below shows the standard rates (Schedule 2).

ItemChargedAmount
Paid on filing
Filing fee (paper filing, first class included)Per application2,400 MAD
Paper filing: each additional classEach additional class480 MAD
Keeping the registration
Renewal (paper, every 10 years, first class included)Per application2,400 MAD
Paper renewal: each additional classEach additional class480 MAD
Late renewal surcharge within the 6-month grace period (per month or part of a month)Per item240 MAD
Other
Recording of a transfer, pledge or other change in rights (paper, per mark, capped at MAD 24,000 in total)Per item960 MAD
Recording of a change of name, address or legal form (paper, per mark, capped at MAD 12,000 in total)Per item480 MAD

Source: OMPIC Tarifs (TTC) liste 2 · current fees in force since 2019-09-02 · checked on 2026-10-07 · The Bank of China publishes no rate for this currency, so fees are shown in the original currency only

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

Example: an online application covering 3 classes pays 1,865 + 2 × 372 = MAD 2,609 in official fees; the same 3 classes filed on paper cost 2,400 + 2 × 480 = MAD 3,360.

Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Morocco and common refusals

These are common issues in Moroccan applications, along with Morocco-specific rules that are easy to overlook.

Earlier marks: opposition, not examination

OMPIC examines only absolute grounds such as distinctiveness and prohibited signs; it does not refuse an application because of a similar earlier mark. Owners and licensees of earlier marks, earlier applications, well-known marks and geographical indications can oppose with OMPIC within 2 months of publication. The Official Trademark Catalogue appears twice a month, so watch it for your key brands and oppose similar filings promptly.

Only 15 days to contest an opposition decision

After examining an opposition, OMPIC issues a decision, which either party must contest within 15 days of notification or lose the chance to argue further before OMPIC; the final decision can be appealed to the Commercial Court of Appeal of Casablanca. With such a short deadline, agree with your representative in advance how decisions will be handled.

Royal and state emblems need prior authorisation

Moroccan law prohibits using as a mark, or part of one, the portrait of the King or members of the royal family, the Kingdom's coat of arms, flag, official signs and hallmarks, or Moroccan or foreign currency, without the competent authority's authorisation. Signs containing geographical indications, signs that may mislead as to origin or quality, and signs contrary to public order or morality are also refused.

The representation and classes cannot be changed after filing

Within 3 months of filing, only clerical errors can be corrected; the representation of the mark and the classes cannot be changed, and renewal cannot change the sign or extend the goods either. Finalise the list before filing; if needed, the application can be divided before registration. If you claim priority from an earlier application filed abroad, file its copy within 10 months of the first filing at the latest, or priority is lost.

Non-use revocation and invalidation both go to court

If a mark has not been seriously used for 5 consecutive years without a valid reason, any interested party can ask the court to revoke it; use begun or resumed in the 3 months before the request, after the owner learned of it, does not count. Invalidation based on earlier rights is also decided by the court, and an earlier right holder who knowingly tolerated good-faith use for 5 years can no longer seek it.

Get a trademark search report: can your mark be registered in Morocco?

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A Moroccan registration needs no periodic declarations of use, but non-use can lead to revocation, and the registration lapses if the renewal grace period is missed.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Throughout the registrationKeep using the mark seriously in Morocco and keep evidence; after 5 consecutive years of non-use, others can ask the court to revoke itNone
Within 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenew; renewal follows the register as it stands, without changing the sign or adding goodsOnline MAD 1,865 (1 class included), plus MAD 372 for each extra class; on paper MAD 2,400, plus MAD 480 for each extra class
Within 6 months after expiryRenew with a surchargeThe renewal fee plus MAD 240 for each month late (part months count as a full month)
Any timeRecord assignments, pledges and other changes of ownership (effective against third parties once recorded); change the name, address or legal formChanges of ownership MAD 744 per mark online, MAD 960 on paper; name, address and similar changes MAD 372 per mark online, MAD 480 on paper

Once registered, you can ask Moroccan customs to suspend suspected infringing goods on import, export and transit: the application is valid for 1 year (or the remaining term of protection, if shorter); after goods are suspended, the right holder must show customs within 10 working days that it has obtained provisional measures from the court or started proceedings. E-commerce brand registries usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Morocco

How much does a Moroccan trademark cost?

For standard applicants, online filing costs MAD 1,865 in official fees (1 class included), plus MAD 372 for each extra class, paid in full at filing with no separate registration fee; paper filing costs MAD 2,400, plus MAD 480 for each extra class. For example, 3 classes filed online cost MAD 2,609. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does Moroccan trademark registration take?

OMPIC publishes the application within 2 months once any deficiencies are remedied, followed by a 2-month opposition period; with no opposition, the mark is registered. Based on these statutory periods, an application with no corrections, refusal or opposition can be registered in about 4–5 months; OMPIC publishes no average times. If an opposition is filed, OMPIC must decide within 6 months of the end of the opposition period, extendable by 3 months.

Does a foreign company need a Moroccan representative?

Yes. Applicants whose domicile or head office is outside Morocco must appoint a representative domiciled or established in Morocco to handle proceedings before OMPIC, and OMPIC sends its notifications to that representative. A signed power of attorney is enough, with no notarisation or legalisation; representatives who are industrial property advisers on OMPIC's list generally need not file one.

Can Morocco be designated through the Madrid System?

Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Morocco since 8 October 1999. If you have a home application or registration, you can designate Morocco in an international application filed through your office of origin, paying the basic fee plus, if your office of origin is party to both the Madrid Agreement and the Protocol (e.g. China), only the CHF 100 complementary fee (Article 9sexies of the Protocol), or otherwise Morocco's per-class individual fee. For designations of Morocco, the opposition period is 2 months from the first day of the month after OMPIC receives the Gazette of International Marks; a Moroccan representative is still needed to answer a refusal or an opposition before OMPIC.

How long is the opposition period in Morocco?

2 months from publication in OMPIC's Official Trademark Catalogue. Owners of earlier marks or applications, of well-known marks and of geographical indications, as well as licensees, can oppose, paying a fee for each class opposed. The applicant must reply within 2 months of the end of the opposition period. Once OMPIC has decided, the parties have only 15 days to contest the decision.

Can the application form and the list of goods be in English?

No. OMPIC application forms must be completed in Arabic or French. The mark itself can be in Chinese, English or any other language, but check its meaning in French and Arabic beforehand, so that it is not found to lack distinctiveness or to be contrary to public order.

Other IP rights

Patents: Moroccan invention patents last 20 years from the filing date and are filed with OMPIC; Morocco has been a PCT contracting state since 8 October 1999, and a European patent from the European Patent Office can be validated in Morocco (validation agreement in force since 1 March 2015). Moroccan law has no utility models.

Industrial designs: registered designs are protected for 5 years from the filing date, renewable 4 times for 5 years each, up to 25 years; one application can include up to 100 designs in the same Locarno class. Morocco is party to the Hague Agreement and can also be designated through the Hague System.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Algeria　·　Egypt　·　Nigeria　·　Ghana　·　Kenya　·　South Africa

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Order online · Morocco trademark registration

Enter the mark, classes and applicant; an agent quotes after you submit. Once you accept the quote you pay online and can follow progress in your account.

Start your order (Morocco selected) Get a trademark search report first

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