Moroccan validation agreement coming into force

European patent applications filed from 1 March 2015, as well as international (PCT) applications filed from the same date which enter the European regional phase, will be able to be validated in Morocco. This change originates from a validation agreement signed by the President of the European Patent Office (EPO) on 17 December 2010, which has now been implemented into Moroccan law. In order to take advantage of this option, a validation fee (initially €240) must be paid to the EPO within 6 months of the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report, or, for European regional phase applications, the period for performing the acts required for an international (PCT) application to enter the European regional phase. Further formal requirements have not as yet been published.

Morocco is not a member of the EPO and resulting European patents, validated in Morocco, will have the same legal effect as Moroccan national patents and will be subject to Moroccan law. It is expected that corresponding arrangements will come into force for Tunisia and Moldova in due course.