[:en]Like most startup companies, you may be working on a new concept, developing a new idea, invention, or design. If this is the case, there is a constant risk of Intellectual Property (IP) infringement whereby the IP represents the creations of the mind or intellect that is legally owned by you.

  1. Register your Trademark: 

In order to protect your startup’s brand name and logos used on goods and services of the company, you need first to register your trademark. In Lebanon, you need to follow the below steps to register your trademark:

  • Hand in (i) an application form from the Ministry of Economy (MoE) that can be filled out online, signed by the applicant with the subject “Trade Mark Registration” (ii) the trademark film (iii) six trademark pictures (iv) six copies of a typed declaration form from the MoE with an attached picture of the trademark (v) one copy of the commercial register (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company or corporation) (vi) one copy of the commercial circular- not necessarily certified (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company) (vii) a Proxy or Power of Attorney (in the case where the application is not handed by the owner) in addition to the description of goods and services covered by the trademark;
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed; 
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • File a declaration statement of the registration form with 2 copies to the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Hand in the sealed registration form with 2 copies; and
  • Receive the original copy of the certificate for the registered trademark.
  1. Protect your Copyright:

If the activity of your startup is related to artistic or literary work, computer software, video films and audio-visual works it is important to protect this work whether it is an industrial design or model or an artistic, literary, musical or cinematographic work.

In order to register an industrial design or model in Lebanon, you follow the below steps:

  • Hand in (i) an application form from the MoE signed by the applicant with the subject “Registering an Industrial Design or Model” (ii) two copies of the design or model description (iii) two copies of a 3 dimensional design or model drawing (iv) one copy of the commercial register (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company or corporation) (vi) one copy of the commercial circular (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company) (vii) Proxy or Power of Attorney (in the case where the application is not handed by the owner);
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed;
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • File a declaration statement of the registration form with 2 copies to the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Hand in the sealed registration form with 2 copies; and
  • Receive the original copy of the certificate for the registered design or model.

For the registration of an Artistic, Literary, Musical or Cinematographic Work (the “Work”), you need to:

  • Hand in (i) an application form from the MoE signed by the applicant and with the subject “Registration of an Artistic, Literary, Musical or Cinematographic Work” (ii) three copies of the Work (iii) one copy of the commercial register (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company or corporation) (iv) one copy of the commercial circular (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company) (vii) Proxy or Power of Attorney, not necessarily certified (in the case where the application is not handed by the owner);
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed;
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • File a declaration statement of the registration form with 2 copies to the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Receive the original copy of the certificate for the registered design or model; and
  • Receive a copy of the registered Work.
  1. Register a Patent: 

If your startup is developing a new concept or invention, it is important to register this new concept or invention by registering a patent at the Ministry of Economy and Trade. To that end, you will need to:

  • Hand in (i) an application form from the MoE signed by the applicant and with the subject “Registering a Patent”; (ii) 2 copies of the patent description and summary; (iii) two copies of a three-dimensional explanatory illustrations or drawings and a summary description of the invention in Arabic; (iv) one copy of the commercial register (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company or corporation); (vi) one copy of the commercial circular  (in the case where the applicant is a Lebanese company); (vii) a Proxy or Power of Attorney in the case where the application is not handed by the owner, which includes the name of the patent; (viii) and 2 copies of the list of all enclosed documents with their number of pages;
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed; 
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • File a declaration statement of the registration form with 2 copies to the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Hand in the sealed statement with a copy; and
  • Receive the original copy of the certificate for the registered Patent and a copy of the following: (i) list of papers handed; (ii) description of the patent; and (iii) detailed drawing (if available).
  1. File for a License of Use:

You may decide to grant a license to use your trademark or IP. If so, the following steps are to be adopted:

  • Hand in (i) an application form mentioning the name of the applicant, the signature of the new right owner, the subject “Investment of a Registered Trademark/Patent/ Industrial Design or Model/ Copyright” and the number and date of registration; (ii) Grant of Investment Rights Agreement between the two parties mentioning the name of transferor and transferee and the subject being transferred; and (iii) a proxy or power of attorney in the case where the application is not handed by the owner;
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed;
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • Take an appointment to withdraw the registration form to the Official Gazette;
  • Take a form informing about the canceling with 2 copies for the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Hand in a copy of the sealed document; and
  • Receive the final document form.
  1. Change the Owner’s Name:

For the purpose of change of IP owner’s name, the following steps are to be adopted:

  • Hand in (i) an application form mentioning the name of the applicant, the signature of the new right owner, the subject “Changing the Name …” and the number and date of registration; (ii) the personal identification card issued within no more than 6 months (or legitimate copy); (iii) a statement which includes and confirms the change of the name; (iv) a proxy or power of attorney in the case where the application is not handed by the owner;
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher; 
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed;
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • Take an appointment to withdraw the registration form to the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication;
  • Hand in a copy of the sealed document; and
  • Receive the final document form.
  1. Cancellation of IP Registrations:

If you finally wish to cancel any registration related to IP rights, whether patents, trademarks or copyrights, you need to follow these steps:

  • Hand in an application form signed which shall include (i) the name and signature of the applicant, (ii) the subject “Canceling a Registration Mentoring”, and (iii) the number and date of registration;
  • Register the application form;
  • Receive the application number for future referral;
  • Pay the voucher;
  • Receive the yellow and the blue copies, both sealed;
  • Hand in the blue copy and a copy of the voucher;
  • Take an appointment to withdraw the registration form to the Official Gazette;
  • Take a form informing about the canceling with 2 copies for the Official Gazette;
  • Receive the sealed certificate of the statement for publication; 
  • Hand in a copy of the sealed document; and
  • Receive the final document form.

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