Trademark registration in Algeria. Algeria, officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is the largest country in Africa. Currently, Algeria is a member of the Paris convention on trademark rights. In order to ensure that the business products are not infringed by other businesses, enterprises who want to enter this market may register their trademarks in Algeria, ensuring their rights and interests in this country.
In Algeria, trademark registration is mandatory to be granted rights over a trademark, as it is a “first to file” jurisdiction. Only in some exceptional cases can an unregistered trademark be protected. The trademark applications must be filed with the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI).
Necessary documents for filing a trademark registration in Algeria
- Trademark samples need to be registered in Algeria;
- List of services and products requiring trademark registration;
- Authorization letter;
Trademarks upon filing and registration
- Application processing time is 10-24 months when registering a trademark in Algeria.
- After being granted the certificate, the protection period is 10 years (can be extended many times).
- Each country will have its regulations on trademark registration.
Registered trademarks in Algeria have a validity of ten (10) years from the application date and can be renewed indefinitely for further periods of ten (10) years. The trademark renewal can be requested as early as six (6) months before the expiration date. It can also be requested during the grace period of six (6) months after expiration, upon payment of a late renewal fee.
Filing through the Madrid Agreement
Trademark registration through the Madrid Agreement is an international form of application for trademark registration applicable to countries that are members of the Madrid Agreement. Since Algeria has joined the Madrid Agreement, an applicant can file a trademark application in Algeria through the Madrid Agreement.
The filing of a trademark application will be made at the International Bureau and in the application will indicate the countries that are parties to the Madrid Agreement.
The cost of this form of registration is not as expensive as that of direct registration but is limited to the member countries and later the trademark is only transferable to legal entities of the member countries.
List of countries that are part of the Madrid Agreement: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic People of Korea, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Ha Poland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, Vietnam.
You can see a list of Algeria IP firms here.