Overview of the Legal Framework

Jordan's intellectual property legal framework mainly consists of:

• Trademarks Law No. 33 of 1952, as amended by Law No. 34 of 1999 and Law No. 28 of 2007

• Patents Law No. 32 of 1999, as amended by Law No. 16 of 2001

• Industrial Designs and Models Law No. 14 of 2000

• Copyright Law No. 22 of 1992, as amended in 2020

Competent authority:

• Industrial Property Protection Directorate (IPPD)
  under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (MITS).

Jordan is a member of WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid Protocol, the Paris Convention, TRIPS and the Arab Intellectual Property Organization (AIPO).

International Cooperation and Regional Alignment

• Jordan is a member of WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid System, the Paris Convention, TRIPS and AIPO;

• It has established cooperation on examination training and data exchange with WIPO, EUIPO, KIPO and SAIP;

• It participates in the Arab IP Network;

• It is implementing the ‘Jordan National IP Strategy 2025’ to promote innovation, digitalization and cross-border protection.

Trademark System

Filing Routes

• National trademark applications may be filed directly with the IPPD (Industrial Property Protection Directorate);

• Jordan may also be designated via the Madrid System (Madrid Protocol) (since 2009).

Classification Standard

• Uses the Nice Classification;

• Both single-class and 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 result in cancellation.

Examination Features

• Examination language is Arabic (an English translation of the mark may be attached);

• Focus on distinctiveness and religious sensitivity;

• Religious, national, tribal or international organization emblems are not registrable.

Patent System

Types of Protection and Term

• Invention patents: 20 years from the filing date;

• Utility models: 10 years from the filing date.

Examination Mechanism

• Invention patents are subject to substantive examination;

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

• Average examination period is about 2–4 years.

International Routes

• Jordan has been a PCT member state since 2017;

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

Key Features

• Examination language is Arabic;

• First-to-file principle applies;

• Annual maintenance fees are required after grant;

• Patents are not granted for pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or living organisms.

Industrial Design Protection

Legal Basis

• Industrial Designs and Models Law No. 14 of 2000.

Scope of Protection

• External appearance, patterns, ornamentation, colours and lines of products;

• Applicable to industrial and handicraft products.

Term of Protection

• 15 years from the registration date (5-year initial term plus two renewals).

Examination Procedure

• Examination period is approximately 6–9 months;

• Examination language is Arabic;

• Mainly formal examination is carried out.

Key Features

• A single registration is valid nationwide;

• Jordan has not yet acceded to the Hague Agreement;

• Applications for partial or combination designs are permitted.