Summary
Lebanon is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. The nature of the Lebanese registration system is a deposit system. An application can include goods and/or services in any number of classes, but a separate sum of official fees is to be paid for each class.
The 9th Edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks under the Nice Agreement is followed in Lebanon.
As per the Paris Convention, any person who has duly filed an application for the registration of a trademark, in one country of the Paris Union established by the Convention, shall enjoy for the purpose of filing in Lebanon, a right of priority during a period of 6 months.
The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness and as to whether it is contrary to the public order and morals or representing national or foreign decorations and a search for prior trademarks. It takes approximately 2 weeks from first filing to registration. After registration, the trademark is published in the official gazette.
A trademark registration is valid for 15 years as of the registration date and renewable for indefinite similar periods. Filing a late renewal application is possible through a grace period of 3 months from the date of expiration.
Unauthorized use of a registered trademark, an imitation of a trademark applied on goods of the same class, sale, storing for the purpose of sale, exhibiting for sale of goods bearing a counterfeit mark, or using a mark duly by another party in order to serve the purpose of unauthorized promotion of goods of the same class are all offenses punishable under the law.
Requirements
Filing applications
1. A signed Power of Attorney.
2. A certified copy of the home certificate of registration or an application which is required only for claiming convention priority.
3. The name, address and nationality of the applicant and the nature of its business.
4. A list of the goods to be covered by the application.
5. Ten prints of the trademark.
Renewal of Trademark/Service Mark Registrations
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. The number and date of the trademark.
Assignment Applications
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A deed of assignment legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The number and date of the trademark concerned.
4. The name, nationality, address and business of the assignee.
Change of Name Applications
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A certified copy of the change of name certificate issued by the home registry or a notarized attestation legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The number and date of the trademark concerned.
Change of Address Applications
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney in the name of the owner.
2. A notarized attestation legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The number and date of the trademark concerned.
License Applications
1. A simply signed Power of Attorney.
2. A license agreement or a declaration legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
3. The name, nationality and address of the licensee.
4. The number and date of the trademark concerned.
Cancellation Applications
1. A specified Power of Attorney legalized up to the Lebanese Consulate.
2. The name, nationality and address of the applicant.
3. The number and date of the trademark concerned.
