E-Filing Patent Applications in Jordan

Given Jordan’s unremitting commitment to the protection of intellectual property, the Jordanian Patent Office announced that it will begin receiving and processing local and international applications in electronic form via ePCT filing in its capacity as the receiving office.

This news follows the recent amendment and publication of Patent Law no. 16 and Patent Law no. 17 in the Official Gazette on May 16, 2017—both laws entered into force on June 16, 2017.

By way of background, the new regulations set forth in the aforementioned laws stipulate (1) the possibility of electronic filing of patent applications, which will be published after 18 months from the filing date or the priority date, (2) the possibility of withdrawing a patent application prior to its grant, and (3) prohibiting the importation of patented items by the patent licensee, if the license agreement restricts the import of said products into Jordan.

Jordan remains a country with high aspirations that welcomes foreign investments. A healthy balance between the latter and local development is bound to be beneficial for the country’s own growth. The proper application and enforcement of intellectual property laws should help Jordan become more of an innovative hub and lead to this required healthy financial balance.