Protect patent by registration in Jordan

Protect patent in Jordan focuses on several technology and innovation sectors. Jordan has invested significantly in ICT infrastructure and has a young, highly skilled workforce. Tech startups are thriving, especially in the field of software development, digital services, and financial technology (fintech) solutions. Jordan has great potential for solar and wind energy. The government is encouraging investment in renewable energy projects, creating opportunities for innovations in the fields of clean energy technology, energy storage and energy management. Jordan has a rich cultural and historical heritage that attracts tourists from all over the world. Inventions in the fields of tourism management, customer experience, and sustainable tourism can contribute to the development of this industry. Jordan faces water scarcity and limited arable land. Inventions in the fields of smart agriculture, efficient irrigation, water management, and agricultural biotechnology can help address these challenges and improve agricultural productivity. In addition, the Jordanian government is also encouraging the development of inventions in other fields such as water technology, environmental technology, design, and fashion. Viet An Law would like to guide customers through the preliminary procedures for patent registration in Jordan through the article below.

Legal Basis

• Law No. 32 of 1999 on Patents (amended and supplemented to Law No. 17 of 2017)

General overview of inventions in Jordan

Concept of invention

In Jordan, a patent is an exclusive right granted to an invention, which is a product or process that provides, in general, a new way to do something or offer a new technical solution to a problem.

Conditions for registering a patent in Jordan

• Novelty: The invention must be new, which means that the invention has not been publicly disclosed anywhere in the world before the date of filing the patent application or priority date.
• Innovation: The invention is a creative progress. This invention must not be obvious to a person with expertise in the field of engineering, considering the condition of the technique at the time of filing.
• Industrial applicability: The invention must be able to be used in any type of industry, including agriculture, fisheries, services, or handicrafts.

Types of patents that can be registered in Jordan

In Jordan, the main type of patent that can be registered is an invention patent. This type of patent is granted to new products or processes that are innovative and have industrial applications.

However, under Jordan’s Patent Law (Law No. 32 of 1999, as amended), several types of patents are not patentable, including:

• Discovery, scientific theory, and mathematical methods: This is considered basic knowledge and not a technical solution to problems.
• Plant or animal varieties: These are protected under separate plant variety protection laws.
• Treatment of the human or animal body with surgery or therapy: This is considered a medical procedure and is generally excluded from patentability. However, new pharmaceutical products or medical devices can be patented.
• Inventions that are contrary to public order or ethics: Inventions that are considered harmful to society or violate ethical principles are not patented.

Patent registration dossier in Jordan

• Patent Application: This form includes information such as the name of the invention, the name and address of the inventor(s) and the applicant(s), and the filing date.
• Description: This is a detailed description of the applicant’s invention, including the context, the technical field, the problems it solves, and how it works. The applicant must provide sufficient detail so that a person with expertise in the field can understand and reconstruct the invention. The information typically includes the following sections:
  • Name of the invention
  • Technical Field
  • Background art
  • Patent Summary
  • Brief description of the drawings (if applicable)
  • Detailed description of the invention
  • Industrial applicability
• Protection Claims: This is a numbered list of claims to determine the scope of protection for one’s invention. Claims for protection are the most important part of a patent application, as they define the scope of the applicant’s exclusive rights.
• Drawings (if any): If the applicant’s invention can be illustrated, drawings should be provided to help clarify the description.
• Summary: A brief summary of the invention, usually about 150 words or less.
• Priority documents (if any): If the applicant has applied for a patent for the same invention in another country within the last 12 months, the applicant can claim priority.
• Power of attorney (if any): If the applicant files through the patent representative, it is necessary to provide them with a power of attorney on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents (if applicable): Depending on the applicant’s case, the applicant may need to file other documents, such as a transfer agreement if the applicant is not the inventor, or a copyright statement.

Patent registration in Jordan through the PCT system

What is the PCT System?

The PCT system stands for Patent Cooperation Treaty – an international treaty that aims to create a uniform process for filing international patent applications. The system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has more than 150 countries participating, including Jordan.

Benefits of the PCT system:

• Save time and money: The PCT system allows the applicant to file a single patent application for patent protection in multiple countries participating in the Treaty, rather than having to file a separate application in each country. This saves time, costs and administrative procedures.
• Postponement of the national filing deadline: When filing a PCT application, the applicant has an additional 30 months to decide which country the applicant wants to protect the invention. This is a valuable time for the applicant to evaluate the commercial potential of the patent and prepare for the filing of the national application.
• Simple Process: The PCT System uses a common set of rules and procedures for all participating countries, which simplifies the filing process and saves time for both the applicant and the national patent office.
• Early Search Information: The International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Patent Search Agency will provide the applicant with information about the novelty and patentability of the patent, helping the applicant to make an informed decision about filing a national application.
• Enhanced international cooperation: The PCT system encourages international cooperation in the field of patents by creating a common platform for the exchange of information and the sharing of experiences between countries.
• Support innovation: The PCT system helps promote innovation by reducing the procedural burden on inventors and making it easier for them to protect their patents worldwide.

Patent registration dossier through the PCT system

To file an invention registration through the PCT system, you need to prepare a set of documents including the following documents:

• PCT Application: The application can be filed in Vietnamese or English, however, it is recommended that it be filed in English to facilitate the processing. You can download the PCT application form from the WIPO website: https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/forms/
• Description of the invention: The description of the invention should present the invention in detail and clearly, including:
  • Patent Name Technical Field
  • Patent Summary
  • Detailed explanation of the invention
  • Drawings (if any)
  • Request for protection
• Claim for protection: The claim for protection should clearly define the scope of protection that the applicant wants to give the invention.
• Patent Claims: Patent claims need to clearly identify the inventor (or inventors).
• Letter of Authorization (if applicable): If the applicant uses an intellectual property representative to file the application, the applicant needs to provide a Letter of Authorization that authorizes the representative to represent the applicant during the filing process and process the procedure.

Additional documents (may be required):

• Priority documents (if any): If the applicant filed an application for the same patent in another country before filing the PCT application, the applicant may claim priority based on the date of filing that application.
• Translation (if applicable): If any of the documents on file are not in English or French, the applicant needs to provide a translation into either of these languages.
• Application fee: The applicant needs to pay the PCT filing fee to the International Bureau(IB).

If you wish to file an application for patent registration, please contact Viet An Law, hotline (+84) 9 61 67 55 66 (WhatsApp, Viber, Zalo, Wechat) for the most effective support.

Update: 9/2024