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Lebanon |
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Lebanon's economy has made impressive gains since the launch of "Horizon 2000," the government's $20 billion reconstruction program in 1993. Real GDP grew 8% in 1994 and 7% in 1995 before Israel's Operation Grapes of Wrath in April 1996 stunted economic activity. During 1992-98, annual inflation fell from more than 100% to 5%, and foreign exchange reserves jumped to more than $6 billion from $1.4 billion. Progress also has been made in rebuilding Lebanon's war-torn physical and financial infrastructure. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in the economic arena. It has had to fund reconstruction by tapping foreign exchange reserves and boosting borrowing. The stalled peace process and ongoing violence in southern Lebanon could lead to wider hostilities that would disrupt vital capital inflows. Furthermore, the gap between rich and poor has widened in the 1990's, resulting in grassroots dissatisfaction over the skewed distribution of the reconstruction's benefits and leading the government to shift its focus from rebuilding infrastructure to improving living conditions.
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Trademark
Period
A trademark registration is valid for a period of 15, 30, 45 or 60 years from date of filing.
Renewal
A trademark registration is renewable for similar periods. There is a three-month grace period for late renewal of a trademark.
Requirements:
- Power of Attorney, simply signed, stating the name and title of signatory.
- Film + 10 prints.
Classification
The international classification of goods and services is followed for the purpose of registration of marks.
A single application may include several classes.
Color of the mark
Color may be a feature of a trademark
Filing Requirements:
- Simply signed Power of Attorney, stating the name and title of signatory with a corporate seal. Separate power is required for each application or set of simultaneous applications.
- Film + 10 prints
- Priority document, if priority is claimed.
Search
A search can be conducted for word marks only.
One application is required for search in all classes.
Examination
The law does not provide for examination procedure.
Assignment Requirements:
- Power of Attorney, signed by the Assignee, stating the name and title of signatory.
- Deed of Assignment, signed by both parties & legalized.
Assignment must be recorded with the Registrar's office within three months from the execution and/or occurrence date; else, a fine will be imposed for each period of two months' delay.
Change of Name/Address
Requirements:
- Power of attorney, simply signed, stating name and title of the signatory.
- A Certificate of change of name & legalized.
Recordal of License
Recordal of license is not compulsory. However, the Registrar accepts, by practice, to file the concerned agreement for the trademarks concerned. A certificate is issued to this effect and a notice is published in the official gazette.
Requirements:
- Power of Attorney, simply signed by the Licensee, stating name and title of signatory
- License Agreement, signed by both parties & legalized.
Use Requirements
Use of a trademark is not compulsory for filing applications, nor for maintaining trademark registrations in force. Any party who has been using a mark from a date prior to the date of application for its registration, may request the Court to remove the improperly registered mark within a period of 5 years from the date of filing
Appeal
The decision regarding acceptance or rejection of the mark will stand without appeal.
Marking
Marking of registered marks is not compulsory.
Cancellation
There are no provisions for the cancellation of a mark.
Abandonment
There are no provisions for the abandonment of a trademark. A trademark is considered to have lapsed if it is not renewed on time.
Status of unregistered trademark
Prior user of an unregistered trademark may restrain imitation by another unregistered trademark.
Opposition
Publication of a trademark is effected in the official gazette after registration of the mark. There is no provision for opposition.
Opposition may be effected against infringer through Court action. The owner through a lawyer may institute a cancellation action. The trademark will remain vulnerable during the five years following its filing/registration date.
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Patent
Types of Patents
- Patents of invention
- Patents of addition
What cannot be patented?
1) Financial combinations
2) Inventions contrary to morality or order
Period
A patent is valid for a period of 20 years from date of filing.
Examination
Patent applications are examined as to their form only.
Annuities
Payable annually as from date of filing.
Filing requirements:
- Power of Attorney that has been simply signed, stating name and title of signatory with corporate seal.
- Three copies of the specifications in English, French or Arabic with Arabic translation of the Abstract.
- Three sets of formal drawings
- Priority document, if priority is claimed
- Assignment from the inventor(s), legalized, if priority is claimed
Assignment Requirements
Requirements for Patent Assignment
- Power of Attorney that has been simply signed by the Assignee, stating name and title of signatory.
- A Deed of Assignment that is signed by both parties & legalized.
Assignment must be recorded with the Registrar's office within three months from the execution and/or occurrence date; else, a fine will be imposed for each period of two months' delay.
Change of Name/Address
1. Power of Attorney, simply signed, stating name and title of signatory
2. A Certificate of the change of name or address & legalized.
Recordal of license
Requirements for Patent License
- Power of Attorney, that has been simply signed by the licensee
- License Agreement, signed by both parties and legalized .
Working
Working of a patent is required within two years
Opposition: There are no provisions for filing opposition to a patent registration.
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Design,
Model & Integrated Circle
Period
A design is valid for 25 years from filing date, renewable for one similar period.
Examination
Design applications are examined as to their form only.
Assignment Requirements:
- Power of Attorney that has been simply signed by the assignee.
- Deed of Assignment that has been signed by both parties and legalized.
License
Requirements:
- Power of Attorney that has been simply signed by the licensee.
- License Agreement, signed by both parties & legalized.
Change of Name/Address
Requirements for Change of Name:
- Power of Attorney that has been simply signed.
- A Certificate of the change of name that has been legalized.
Requirements for Change of Address:
The number and date of the design concerned.
Filing requirements:
- Power of Attorney, simply signed and stating the name & title of the signatory.
- Three representations.
- Description of the design.
- A Priority document, if priority is claimed.
- Assignment from the inventor(s) & legalized, if priority is claimed.
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Copyrights
Supported Documents required:
1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. Three copies of the work.
3. If the applicant is not the author, a certified copy of the deed of assignment is required.
4. An Arabic translation of each document.
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Litigation
No statutory law on designs is in force
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Arbitration & Mediation
No statutory law on designs is in force
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Domain Name
Supported Documents required:
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A certified copy of the Lebanese certificate trademark registration in
class 35.
3. The applicant company must have a legal entity in Lebanon.
4. An Arabic translation of each document.
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Watch Services
No statutory law on designs is in force
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Unfair Competition
No statutory law on designs is in force
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G.C.C 
