The laws governing intellectual property in Egypt are considered vital, especially in light of modern technological and economic developments. The importance of protecting intellectual property lies in its role as a significant economic resource and its contribution to encouraging creativity and innovation. Egypt has a set of legislations governing the protection of intellectual property rights, which include:
First: Law No. 82 of 2002:
The protection of intellectual property rights in Egypt is governed by Law No. 82 of 2002, which covers the rights of authors over their literary, artistic, and scientific works, including books, articles, photographs, music, and films. This law is the primary legislation regulating intellectual property in Egypt, and it has repealed all previous laws that dealt with intellectual property regulation, including Law No. 57 of 1939 on trademarks and trade data, Law No. 132 of 1949 on patents and industrial designs, and Law No. 354 of 1954 on copyright, among others.
Second: International Agreements Signed by Egypt:
- TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights): Part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, it aims to set minimum standards for the protection of intellectual property rights in all member states, and Egypt is a signatory.
- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works: Aims to protect the rights of authors over their literary and artistic works in member states.
- Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property: Covers the protection of patents, trademarks, and industrial designs in member states.
- Washington Treaty on Intellectual Property in Respect of Integrated Circuits: Aims to protect the designs of integrated circuits.
These agreements help enhance the protection of intellectual property rights in Egypt and provide a suitable legal environment for creators and innovators.
Third: Related Laws in the Field of Intellectual Property Protection:
Several other legislations related to the protection of intellectual property rights have been issued in Egypt, including:
Law No. 175 of 2018 on Combating Information Technology Crimes: This law addresses various crimes, including the infringement of intellectual property rights. ● Law No. 180 of 2018 on Regulating the Press, Media, and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation: This law includes provisions for setting and applying the necessary controls and standards to ensure that media and press institutions adhere to professional ethics and protect intellectual property rights related to their content.