Country Data
| Official Name: | Algeria |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Algiers |
| Area: | 2,381,741 sq. km |
| Population: | 47,435,312 (2025 estimate) |
| Official Language: | Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) |
| GDP: | Approximately US$882.0 billion (2025 estimate, IMF basis) |
| Currency: | Algerian Dinar (DZD) |
| Work Days: | Sunday – Thursday |
Conventions/ Treaties
- Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property – effective since March 1, 1966.
- WIPO Convention – effective since April 16, 1975.
- Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks – effective since July 5, 1972.
- Madrid Protocol – effective since October 31, 2015.
- Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services – effective since July 5, 1972.
- Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs – Algeria signed the Agreement on October 8, 1968.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) – effective since March 8, 2000.
- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works – effective since April 19, 1998.
- WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) – effective since January 31, 2014.
- WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) – effective since January 31, 2014.
- Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances – effective since April 28, 2020.
- Rome Convention – effective since April 22, 2007.
- Nairobi Treaty – effective since August 16, 1984.
- Lisbon Agreement – effective since July 5, 1972.
National Legislation
- Ordinance No. 03-06 of July 19, 2003, relating to Trademarks.
- Executive Decree No. 05-277 of August 2, 2005, laying down the procedures for filing and issuing trademarks
Basic Information
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Creation of rights | First-to-file jurisdiction. |
| Basis for filing | Prior use is not a prerequisite for filing or registration. However, use becomes relevant to maintaining the registration and in cancellation proceedings. |
| Well-known marks | Well-known marks may receive protection against registration/use of conflicting marks even where they are not registered locally, subject to the applicable legal requirements. Nevertheless, local registration is strongly recommended. |
| Types of marks | Trademarks, Service marks, Collective marks |
| Priority | 6-month priority claim under the Paris Convention. |
| Madrid System | Algeria has been a member of the Madrid Protocol since October 31, 2015. International registrations designating Algeria are examined by INAPI. W WIPO+1 |
| Filing system | Multiple-class applications are permitted. |
| Classification | Nice Classification is used. Current practitioner sources report use of the 11th edition. A Alyafi IP Group |
| Who can be Applicant | Individuals and corporate/legal entities. |
| Examination | Applications are examined as to formal requirements and registrability, including absolute and relative grounds/prior rights. |
| Publication | The application/registration is published through the Algerian industrial property publication system/Official Gazette following the applicable examination and registration procedure. |
| Opposition period | No administrative opposition procedure is provided under the current Algerian trademark law. Third parties generally challenge registrations through cancellation/nullity proceedings before the competent court rather than by filing an administrative opposition against a pending application. S S.S. Rana & Co.+1 |
| Duration of registration | 10 years from the filing date, renewable for successive periods of 10 years. |
| Renewal | A renewal request may be filed during the six months preceding expiry. |
| Renewal grace period | 6 months after expiry, subject to the applicable surcharge/formalities. A alrowadip.com+1 |
| Use requirement | A registered trademark may be vulnerable to cancellation for non-use for 3 consecutive years upon the request of an interested party. A Alyafi IP Group |
| Registration timeframe (straightforward case) | Approximately 18–36 months, depending on examination and administrative processing. Some practitioner sources quote approximately 24 months. |
Search
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Search | Available for trademarks, including word and device marks. |
| Scope of search | Searches may cover applied-for and registered marks and similar/identical marks |
| Turnaround time | 2 Approximately 5–10 working days |
Ways to obtain protection
- Filing a national trademark application with or without a priority claim under the Paris Convention.
- Filing through the Madrid System, designating Algeria
Documentary Requirements
New Applications
- Power of Attorney – simply signed; generally prepared in French or Arabic, or accompanied by an appropriate translation. A separate POA is generally required for each application.
- Name and address of the applicant.
- Representation of the trademark.
- List/specification of goods and/or services.
- Certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.
Renewal of Registration
- Power of Attorney – simply signed.
- Trademark registration details/certificate.
- Declaration/proof of use of the trademark.
Change of Name / Address Recordation
- Simply signed Power of Attorney reflecting the new name/address.
- Certificate/document evidencing the change of name or address, with the required legalization/translation formalities where applicable.
- Trademark registration details/certificate.
Assignment Recordation
- Simply signed Power of Attorney from the assignee.
- Deed of Assignment signed by the assignor and assignee.
- Copy of the trademark registration certificate/details.
- The deed should be in Arabic or French, or accompanied by an appropriate translation; legalization/notarization requirements may apply depending on the document and filing circumstances.
Merger Recordation
- Simply signed Power of Attorney from the surviving entity.
- Merger document/certificate, with applicable legalization and translation.
- Copy of trademark registration certificate/details.
License Recordation
- Powers of Attorney from the licensor and licensee, as applicable.
- License agreement signed by the parties.
- Copy of trademark registration certificate/details.
- Applicable legalization and translation formalities.
National Legislation
- Ordinance No. 03-07 of July 19, 2003, relating to Patents for Inventions
Ways to obtain patent protection:
- National filing in Algeria.
- PCT national phase application in Algeria.
- Convention application claiming priority under the Paris Convention
Basic Information
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Claims admissible for | Product inventionsProcess/method inventions |
| Patentability requirements | The invention must generally be:New/novel;Inventive; andIndustrially applicable. |
| Novelty requirement | Absolute novelty. |
| Convention priority | Available – 12 months under the Paris Convention. |
| PCT national phase entry deadline | Generally 30 months from the relevant priority date. |
| Search | Patent information can be searched through INAPI resources, including by relevant bibliographic information. |
| Examination | Patent applications are subject to examination under the Algerian patent system. The statutory framework addresses examination and issuance, and current practice includes examination of formal and substantive patentability requirements. |
| Publication | Publication in the Algerian industrial property publication system/Industrial Property Bulletin. |
| Opposition | There is no ordinary pre-grant administrative opposition procedure comparable to the UAE system. Third-party challenges may be pursued through the mechanisms provided by Algerian law, including judicial proceedings. |
| Protection term | 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of the prescribed fees. |
| Annuity payment | Annual maintenance fees are payable. |
| Grace period for late annuity payment | 6 months, subject to the applicable penalty/surcharge. |
| Working / Compulsory License | The patent legislation provides for compulsory licensing in cases of failure or insufficient exploitation and for |
Requirements
- Power of Attorney – simply signed.
- Applicant’s name, address, nationality and legal status.
- Inventor’s details.
- Patent specification, claims and abstract.
- Drawings, where applicable.
- Specification/claims and supporting documents in the required French and Arabic format.
- Assignment of invention/patent rights if the applicant is not the inventor.
- Certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.
For PCT national phase application:
- Simply signed Power of Attorney.
- Copy of the international publication.
- Arabic translation of the required patent documents/specification and claims.
- Formal drawings, where applicable.
- International Search Report.
- International Preliminary Examination Report, where applicable.
- Assignment document, where applicable.
- Applicable priority documentation.
- Payment of the national-phase fees and applicable accumulated annuities.
National Legislation
- Ordinance No. 66-86 of April 28, 1966, relating to Industrial Designs and Models
Ways to obtain protection for design:
- National filing in Algeria.
- Application with priority claim under the Paris Convention
Basic Information
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of designs | DrawingsModels |
| Novelty | Novelty is a prerequisite for protection. Algerian law provides protection for designs/models meeting the applicable novelty requirements. |
| Multiple figures/designs | Multiple figures/designs may be included subject to the applicable requirements. Current practitioner guidance indicates that applications may include up to 100 designs/figures where the requirements are met and the designs concern objects of the same kind. |
| Convention priority | 6-month priority may be claimed. |
| Locarno Classification | Algeria uses the Locarno Classification for industrial designs. |
| Examination | The application is primarily examined as to formal requirements; current practice also addresses novelty requirements. |
| Publication | The application may remain confidential during the first year unless earlier publication is requested. Following the first year, the registration/acceptance is published in the relevant Official Gazette publication. |
| Opposition | No administrative opposition procedure is provided for industrial designs under the applicable legislation. Challenges/infringement matters may be pursued through the courts. |
| Protection term | 10 years from the filing date.The term is divided into:First period: 1 year;Second period: 9 years, subject to the required maintenance/extension procedure. |
| Annuities / maintenance | The extension/maintenance fee for the second nine-year period is payable in accordance with the applicable procedure. |
| Grace period | 6 months may be available for late payment, subject to surcharge. |
| Registration timeframe (straightforward case) | Approximately 1 year, although timing can vary. |
Requirements
- Power of Attorney – simply signed.
- Representations of the design; current practitioner guidance commonly requires multiple identical copies/representations.
- Applicant’s name, address and nationality/legal status.
- Designer’s/creator’s details.
- Assignment document if the applicant is not the creator.
- Certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.
National Legislation
- Ordinance No. 03-05 of July 19, 2003, relating to Copyright and Related Rights
Basic Information
- Works Protected: The Algerian copyright framework protects original literary, artistic and scientific works, including, among others: Literary works; Books, pamphlets, essays and other written works; Computer programs and software; Databases; Lectures, speeches and sermons; Dramatic and dramatic-musical works; Musical compositions; Audiovisual and sound works; Architectural works; Engineering plans and layouts; Drawings, paintings, sculpture, engraving and similar artistic works; Photographic works; Works of applied and plastic art; Maps, sketches and three-dimensional works relating to geography, topography and architecture; Derivative works, subject to the rights in the underlying work; Other original works falling within the scope of the legislation.
- Exceptions to Copyright Protection Copyright does not protect, among other things: Mere ideas; Procedures and methods of work; Mathematical concepts/principles; Abstract facts; Official legal and governmental documents, including laws, regulations, decisions, international agreements and judicial decisions News and current events to the extent they constitute merely media information; Works that have entered the public domain.
- Duration of Copyright General rule: The author’s economic rights are protected during the author’s lifetime and for 50 years after death, with the statutory period generally running from the beginning of the Gregorian year following the author’s death.
- Joint Works: For joint works, the protection period generally runs from the death of the last surviving co-author.
- Collective, Anonymous/Pseudonymous and Certain Other Works: Specific 50-year rules apply, generally calculated from the end of the Gregorian year of first lawful publication, completion or public circulation, depending on the category of work.
- Related Rights: Performers, producers of sound/audiovisual recordings and broadcasting organizations receive related-rights protection, generally for periods of 50 years under the applicable provisions.
- Registration / Deposit: Copyright protection arises from the creation of an eligible work and is not dependent upon registration in the same manner as trademarks or patents. Nevertheless, deposit/registration with ONDA can be used as an evidentiary and administrative mechanism for establishing the work and the relevant rights.
- Registration / Deposit Timeframe: Approximately 1 month, depending on the type of work and ONDA procedure. Current practitioner information reports periods ranging from approximately one month to longer periods depending on the nature of the deposit.
Requirements
- Power of Attorney – simply signed where representation is used.
- ONDA application/deposit form appropriate to the type of work.
- Copy/specimen of the work.
- Applicant/author details.
- Assignment deed where the applicant is not the author/right holder, where applicable.
- Supporting documents establishing ownership or chain of title where applicable.
