Overview of the Legal Framework

Israel's intellectual property legal framework includes:

• Patents Law (Patents Law, 5727–1967, as amended 2022)

• Trademarks Ordinance [New Version] (5732–1972, as amended 2019)

• Designs Law (5777–2017), replacing the 1924 Ordinance

• Copyright Law, 2007

Competent authority:

• ILPO (Israel Patent Office) – responsible for the registration and examination of patents, trademarks and designs.

Israel is a member of WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid System, the Hague Agreement, the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

International Cooperation and Regional Alignment

• Israel is a member of WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid System, the Hague Agreement, the Paris Convention and TRIPS;

• It participates in Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programs to accelerate international examination;

• It has concluded cooperation agreements with EUIPO, USPTO, EPO, JPO and KIPO;

• It is implementing the national strategy 'Israel IP & Innovation Plan 2030' to strengthen digitalization and AI-based examination technologies.

Trademark System

Filing Routes

• National trademark applications may be filed directly with ILPO;

• Israel may also be designated via the Madrid System (Madrid Protocol) (since 2010).

Classification Standard

• Uses the Nice Classification;

• Multi-class applications are allowed.

Examination Procedure

• Formal examination: around 1–2 months;

• Substantive examination: around 6–9 months;

• Opposition period: oppositions may be filed within 3 months from the publication date.

Use and Renewal

• Registration term is 10 years, renewable indefinitely;

• Non-use for 3 consecutive years may lead to cancellation.

Examination Features

• Examination is conducted in Hebrew or English;

• Focus on distinctiveness and likelihood of confusion;

• Three-dimensional marks, sound marks and other non-traditional trademarks may be registered.

Patent System

Types of Protection and Term

• Invention patents: 20 years from the filing date;

• Utility models: no separate system; inventions with a substantive level of innovation are protected under the Patents Law.

Examination Mechanism

• Substantive examination system;

• A request for examination must be filed within 3 years from the filing date;

• Average examination period is about 2–4 years.

International Routes

• Israel has been a PCT member state since 1996;

• National phase entry is available via the PCT international phase;

• Israel is a member of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), and mutually recognizes examination work products with USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO and others.

Key Features

• Examination is conducted in Hebrew or English;

• First-to-file principle applies;

• Annual renewal fees are required to maintain patents in force;

• Supports protection of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and high-tech inventions;

• Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) are available to extend the term of pharmaceutical patents.

Industrial Design Protection

Legal Basis

• Designs Law, 2017.

Scope of Protection

• Shapes, lines, colours, patterns and ornamentation of products;

• Includes physical products as well as graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and other digital designs.

Term of Protection

• 5 years from the registration date, renewable four times for additional periods of 5 years each, up to a maximum of 25 years.

Examination Procedure

• Examination period is approximately 3–6 months;

• Examination is conducted in Hebrew or English;

• Only formal examination is carried out; creativity or individual character is not assessed.

Key Features

• A single registration is valid throughout Israel;

• The 2017 law introduced unregistered design rights with a protection term of 3 years;

• Israel is a member of the Hague Agreement, allowing protection via international design registration.