PCT Applicant's Guide Morocco - Valid as from April 25, 2024

Applicable as from April 25, 2024

(Last updated on October 27, 2026)

Summary of latest changes in this version
GENERAL INFO: Payment methods
RO: Electronic filing, Incorporation by reference
Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: National phase, Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights
List of changes

All available versions

Useful information

The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.

In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.

List of abbreviations used in this document:

Office: Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)Law: Law No 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property (as modified and completed by Law No 31-05 in 2006 and Law No 23-13 in 2014)Decree: Decree No 2-14-316 amending and supplementing Decree No 2-00-368 implementing Law No 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property (as modified and completed by Law No 31-05 in 2006 and Law No 23-13 in 2014)

List of currencies used in this document:

CHF (Swiss franc), MAD (Moroccan dirham)

Countries and Offices information:

The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.

Office profile

For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.

PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities

The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
Refer to the full list.

Office Closed dates

The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and SundayAdditional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

International Phase

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Contracting State:

Morocco

Two-letter code:

Name of Office:

Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)

Location:

Route de Nouasser
R.S. 114
Km 9,5-Sidi Maarouf
Casablanca
Morocco

Mailing address:

B.P. 8072
Casablanca Oasis
Casablanca
Morocco

Telephone:

(212-522) 58 64 00/10

E-mail:

For enquiries concerning PCT applications:pct@ompic.ma

Website:

http://www.ompic.ma

Facsimile:

(212-522) 33 54 80

Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?

Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?

Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?

More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.Yes, the Office is prepared to allow applicants to make international and national applications available to the WIPO DAS

Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:

IB, MA

Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?

Refer to the Office

Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:

Refer to corresponding National Phase.MA

Types of protection available via the PCT:

National:PatentsEuropean:Validation of European patents

Payment methods accepted by the Office:

The payment of fees shall be effected in Moroccan dirhams. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid.The payment of fees may be effected in cash or by check.

Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):

None

Provisional protection after international publication:

The applicant enjoys the rights defined in Law No. 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property (as modified and completed by Law No. 31-05 in 2006 and Law No. 23-13 in 2014 (refer to articles 16, 44 and 51) as from the date of publication of the international application under PCT Article 21

Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)

Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:

If the data concerning the inventor are not in the request, they must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).

Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?

Yes, refer to Annex L.

Annex C - Receiving Office

Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:

Morocco

Language in which international applications may be filed:

If the language in which the international application is filed is not accepted by the International Searching Authority (refer to Annex D), the applicant will have to furnish a translation (PCT Rule 12.3).French

Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:

Same as above

Language in which the request may be filed:

French

Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:

Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?

For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 6 April 2017, pages 63 et seq. and 10 November 2022, page 300.Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this must be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing

Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
																	

Yes, any format

Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?

Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
																	

Yes

Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?

Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria for such requests

Competent International Searching Authority:

AT, EP, RU, SE

Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:

AT, RU, SEEPThe Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office, by the Austrian Patent Office or by the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV).

Fees payable to the RO:

Transmittal fee:

None

International filing fee:

This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).1,330 CHF

Fee per sheet in excess of 30:

15 CHF

Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):

Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):

200 CHF

Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):

300 CHF

Search fee:

Refer to
Annex D(AT)
Annex D(EP)
Annex D(RU)
Annex D(SE)

Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):

None

Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):

None

Is an agent required by the receiving Office?

Yes, if the applicant is a legal person, or a natural person not resident in Morocco

Who can act as agent?

Any natural or legal person resident in Morocco

Waiver of power of attorney:

Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?

Refer to the Office

Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?

Refer to the Office

Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

Requirements of designated and elected Offices

Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.For a list of these institutions refer to:https://www.wipo.int/documents/d/treaties/docs-en-registration-budapest-idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/budapest-system/guide/section_d/subsection_cNotifications related thereto may be consulted under:https://www.wipo.int/en/web/treaties/registration/budapest/indexFurther information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:https://www.wipo.int/en/web/budapest-system/guide/index

Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:

— the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):

At the time of filing (must be in the description)

— any additional indications:

At the time of filing

Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:

To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the microorganism

Additional information

Deposits of microorganisms for the purposes of patent procedure before the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) must be made before the filing date of the international application with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (Art. 34 of Law No. 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property as amended by Law Nos. 23-13 and 31-05).

National Phase

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:

Under PCT Article 22(3): 31 months from the priority date
Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date

Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?

Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “unintentional” criterion if a request is submitted within the prescribed time limit and the conditions set out in Article 14.4 of Law 17/97 are met.Fee for reinstatementFees are subject to a value added tax (VAT) of 20%.4,000 MAD2,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):

Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).Arabic, French

Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:

Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as originally filed and as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstractUnder PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)

Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?

The applicant should only send a copy of the international application if he/she has not received Form PCT/IB/308 and the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau under PCT Article 20. This may be the case where the applicant expressly requests an earlier start of the national phase under PCT Article 23(2).

Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?

National fees:

The complete list of the Office’s national fees is available at:
http://www.ompic.ma/en/content/patent/tariffsFees are subject to value added tax (VAT) of 20%.The amount in parentheses is applicable to applications filed online. For further information on the online filing of patent applications with the Office, please contact the Office at:
pct@ompic.ma

Filing fee

Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).1,000 MAD(750 MAD)500 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).(250 MAD)This amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Publication fee

Additional fee for publication of claims in excess of 10

per claim 400 MADper claim 160 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Fee for establishment of the search report with opinion on patentability

8,000 MAD(6,000 MAD)4,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).(2,000 MAD)This amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:

Refer to Summary and Annex MA.I

Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):

If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in MoroccoInstrument of assignment of the international application if the applicant has changed after the international filing dateDocument evidencing a change of name of the applicant if the change occurred after the international filing date and has not been reflected in a notification from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306)

Who can act as agent?

Any natural or legal person resident in Morocco

Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
																	

Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?

Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests

The procedure in the national Phase

MA.01 FORM FOR ENTERING THE NATIONAL PHASE

The Office has available a form for filing a patent application (Form B1) that can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.ompic.ma/fr/content/formulaires-brevets-invention (refer to Annex MA.II).

MA.02 MINIMUM FILE REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY

Law Art. No. 30, Law Art. No. 31, Law Art. No. 32, Law Art. No. 8 (par. 2), Decree Art. No. 4Applicants can use the completed form for filing a patent application (Form B1) to enter the national phase before the Office. Where, at the time of entry into the national phase, one or more of the documents to be submitted together with the form are missing from the patent application file, the applicant or agent has a period of three months from the date of entry into the national phase to bring the file into conformity with the requirements. Payment of the patent filing and search fees must be made within a period of one month from the date of entry into the national phase. If one of the above-mentioned deadlines is not met, the patent application is considered to be withdrawn. In that case, the applicant or agent may file a request for continuation of proceedings within a period of two months (refer to paragraph MA.13).

MA.03. LANGUAGE OF PROCEEDINGS

Decree Art. No. 2The language of proceedings is Arabic or French.

MA.04 TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION

Decree Art. No. 5A translation of the description will be required if the patent application was filed in a language other than the working languages of the Office. This translation must be furnished within a period of three months from the date of entry into the national phase.

MA.05 CORRECTION OF ERRORS

Law Art. No. 39Prior to the granting of the patent and on the basis of a substantiated request, the applicant or agent may request the correction of linguistic or transcription errors, as well as clerical errors in the documents filed. Where the request for correction relates to the description, the claims or the drawings, this correction is only admissible if it is obvious, and no other text or line could possibly have been intended by the applicant. A request for correction is filed using the form for correction of linguistic errors, transcription errors or clerical errors (Form B2), which can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.ompic.ma/fr/content/formulaires-brevets-invention (refer to Annex MA.III).

MA.06 REPRESENTATION

Law Art. No. 4Any applicant who is a legal or natural person not resident in Morocco must be represented by an agent having their residence or place of business in Morocco. A power of attorney must be furnished, except if the agent is included in the list of patent attorneys maintained by the Office: http://www.ompic.ma/sites/default/files/NOTEINFORMATIONN52017.pdf except for operations relating to the termination or transmission of rights, which require a power of attorney.

MA.07 DEED OF ASSIGNMENT

PCT Rule 51bis.1, PCT Rule 51bis.2Where the patent application entering the national phase is filed by an applicant other than the one who filed the international application, a deed of assignment of the international application must be furnished, or, as the case may be, a justification of the applicant’s change of name must be furnished if this change has not been reflected in a communication from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306).

MA.08 INFORMATION ON EARLIER APPLICATIONS

Law Art. No. 8Pursuant to Article No. 8 of the Law, an applicant wishing to claim a priority must include on Form B1, at the time of filing of the patent application, the information relating to the priority by indicating: i) the earlier filing date, ii) the number of the earlier application and iii) the country of origin of this filing.

MA.09 EXAMINATION

Law Art. No. 43If the formal requirements to be fulfilled by a patent application are met, the Office establishes a preliminary search report, together with an opinion on the patentability of said application, based on the claims and taking into account the description and drawings, if any, in order to determine whether the invention meets the requirements of patentability. The report is then communicated to the applicant or agent, who has a period of three months from the date of communication to respond, if necessary (refer to paragraph MA.10).Law Art. No. 44Any patent application that has not been rejected or withdrawn is published in the publication server of the Office.Law Art. No. 14.3Within two months from the publication date of said patent application, third party observations may be submitted to the Office. These observations may bear on the criteria required for the patent to be valid. The Office communicates these without delay to the applicant or agent, who has a period of two months to respond, if necessary.Law Art. No. 43.2A final search report is established on the basis of the preliminary search report and taking into account, where applicable, the final set of claims filed (refer to paragraph MA.10 below), any observations filed by the applicant in support of the remaining claims and any third party observations.Law Art. No. 41Where there are no reasons for rejection under Article 41 in respect of all or some of the claims, the patent is granted for the claims in full or in part and is published under the category B1 in the publication server of the Office: https://patent.ompic.ma/publication-server/. If this is not the case, a substantiated partial or total rejection of the patent application is issued in respect of the claims containing one of the reasons for rejection under Article 41, and the applicant or agent is informed of the rejection decision.Law Art. No. 14.2Within two months from the date of communication of a rejection decision taken by the Office, the applicant or agent may submit observations against this decision (Form ODR, refer to Annex MA.IV) if they have arguments that might change the examiner’s opinion. If the observations submitted are of such a nature as to change the rejection decision, a new decision is established in the light of said observations.

MA.10 AMENDMENT OF THE PATENT APPLICATION

Law Art. No. 43.1When the preliminary search report and the opinion on patentability are established, they are promptly communicated to the applicant or agent, together with the final title and abstract of the invention. The applicant has a period of three months as of the date of communication of the preliminary search report and the opinion on patentability to amend the claims or submit observations in support of the remaining claims, as the case may be (Form B10, refer to Annex MA.V).The claims cannot be amended in such a way that they extend the subject matter of the invention beyond the content of the application as originally filed.

MA.11 ABSENCE OF UNITY OF INVENTION

Law Art. No. 38.1, Law Art. No. 38.2If the application does not meet the requirement of unity of invention (Article No. 38 of the Law), the applicant or agent may, on their own initiative or when invited to do so by the Office, divide or limit the originally-filed patent application if it has not been rejected, withdrawn or granted. A divisional application can only be filed for features that do not extend beyond the content of the application as originally filed.

MA.12 ANNUAL FEES

Law Art. No. 82Renewal fees for a patent application must be paid to the Office for the years following that in which the patent has been granted. The owner of a patent who has not paid the renewal fees within the prescribed time limit may incur the loss of his rights. However, the fees may validly be paid within a further six-month period as of the date of expiry of the time limit; in this case, a surcharge is added for each month of delay in payment (refer to Annex MA.I).If the renewal fees have not been paid by the end of the additional six-month period, the owner of a patent loses his rights, and a written and substantiated decision of the Office as to the loss of rights is communicated to the owner of the patent or the agent.

MA.13 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS

PCT Article 48.2, PCT Rule 82bis, Law Art. No. 14.1, Decree Art. No. 3.1Where the time limits for performing certain operations relating to entry into the national phase have not been observed, a request for the continuation of the procedure relating to said operations may be submitted by the applicant or agent to the Office within a period of two months from the date of expiry of said time limits, provided the fees are paid. When this time limit expires, if no request for the continuation of the procedure is submitted to the Office, a request for the reinstatement of rights can be envisaged, if necessary.Law Art. No. 84, Decree Art. No. 42The owner of a patent may, within a period of three months from the date of communication of the loss of rights decision (refer to paragraph MA.12), submit an appeal to the Office for the reinstatement of his rights, if there were legitimate grounds for the failure to pay the renewal rights for the patent.

MA.14 REVIEW UNDER PCT ARTICLE 25

PCT Article 25, PCT Rule 51The applicable procedure is set forth in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the national phase.

Annexes

Annex MA.I - Fees

Fees are subject to a value added tax (VAT) of 20%.The complete list of the Office’s national fees is available at:
http://www.ompic.ma/en/content/patent/tariffsThe amount in parentheses is applicable to applications filed online. For further information on online filing of patent applications with the Office, please contact the Office at pct@ompic.ma

Filing fee

1,000 MAD(750 MAD)500 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).(250 MAD)This amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Publication fee

Additional fee for publication of claim(s) in excess of 10, per claim

400 MAD160 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Fee for establishment of the search report with opinion on patentability

Grant fee

4,000 MAD(3,000 MAD)2,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).(1,000 MAD)This amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Fee for issuing a patent of invention with the contents of the patent in paper format

4,000 MADplus, per page 10 MAD(3,000 MAD)2,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).(1,000 MAD)This amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Annual fees:

— from the 2nd to the 5th year

per year 1,000 MADper year 250 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— for the 6th year

1,600 MAD400 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— for the 7th year

2,000 MAD500 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— for the 8th year

2,400 MAD600 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— for the 9th year

2,800 MAD700 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— for the 10th year

4,000 MAD1,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— from the 11th to the 15th year

per year 6,000 MADper year 1,500 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

— from the 16th to the 20th year

per year 10,000 MADper year 2,500 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Fee for request for restoration or extension of the term of protection

Fee for extension of the protection period

40,000 MAD10,000 MADThis amount is applicable for natural persons (whether nationals or foreigners, from countries benefiting from the PCT reduction) and for national applicants (MA) in the following categories: very small enterprises, small or medium-sized enterprises (in accordance with the criteria of the SME charter), self-employed entrepreneurs, craftsmen, universities and educational establishments, institutions with a research and development mission (public establishments, foundations, research centers and associations).

Late payment fee for the payment of the fees due in respect of each year (patent annuities) per month of delay incurred

25% of the amount of the annual fee
with a minimum of 240 MAD

Fee for restoration

100% of the annual fee due in addition
to the amount of the late payment fee

Fee for request for further processing and the like

50% of the amount due for the proceedings which
are the subject of the request for further processing

How can payment of fees be effected?

The payment of fees shall be effected in Moroccan dirhams. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paidThe payment of fees may be effected in cash or by check

Forms

The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.Annex MA.II - Form for filing an application for a patent of invention (B1)Annex MA.III - Form for request for rectification of errors of expression, transcription or clerical errors (B2)Annex MA.IV - Form for applicant’s observations following a rejection decision (ODR)Annex MA.V - Form for amendment of the claims/observations following notification of the preliminary search report (B10)

Change(s) as of April 25, 2024
Please find below in blue all the changes done in this version (including editorial changes).

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Payment methods accepted by the Office:

The payment of fees may be effected in cash or by check.

Annex C - Receiving Office

Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?

Yes, any format

Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?

Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?

Yes

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?

Fee for reinstatement

Fees are subject to a value added tax (VAT) of 20%.

4,000 MAD

2,000 MAD

Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?

Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?

The procedure in the national Phase

MA.09 EXAMINATION

Where there are no reasons for rejection under Article 41 in respect of all or some of the claims, the patent is granted for the claims in full or in part and is published under the category B1 in the publication server of the Office: https://patent.ompic.ma/publication-server/. If this is not the case, a substantiated partial or total rejection of the patent application is issued in respect of the claims containing one of the reasons for rejection under Article 41, and the applicant or agent is informed of the rejection decision.

Processing

WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide MA - Morocco
Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)

Useful information

International Phase

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Annex C - Receiving Office

Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

National Phase

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

The procedure in the national Phase

Annexes

Processing

WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide MA - Morocco Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)

Information

Error Information Warning Confirmation

All document versions available for MA - Morocco

WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide MA - Morocco
Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)