A trademark is any sign that can distinguish the products or services of one business from another. This can include words, names, logos, letters, numbers, pictures, 3D shapes, or even color combinations.

The primary law is Decision No. 2385 of 1924, known as the Law on the Protection of Commercial and Industrial Property. This law has been updated through various amendments over the years.

Yes. Lebanon is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, which allows applicants to claim "priority" from a foreign application. However, Lebanon is not a member of the Madrid System, so you cannot designate Lebanon in an international application through that system.

Any individual or company, whether Lebanese or foreign, can apply to register a trademark in Lebanon.

No, it is not mandatory to register a trademark to use it. However, only registered trademarks are legally protected and enforceable under Lebanese law. Rights based on use alone (common law rights) are generally not sufficient to take legal action against infringers.

Registering your trademark gives you several key advantages:

• Proof of Ownership: It creates a legal presumption that you are the rightful owner.
• Public Notice: It puts the public on notice that the trademark belongs to you.
• Legal Action: It is a necessary first step to file a lawsuit or criminal complaint against infringers.
• Customs Protection: It provides a stronger basis for customs officials to seize counterfeit goods.

Yes. Lebanon adheres to the Nice Classification (NCL) for the classification of goods and services, currently using the 11th edition.

You must file an application with the Intellectual Property Protection Office (IPPO), which is part of the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

Foreign applicants must appoint a local agent (a lawyer or firm) in Lebanon to handle the application. Lebanese nationals may file directly.

For a straightforward application with no issues, the process from filing to registration typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Yes. Lebanon allows multi-class applications, so you can cover several classes of goods or services in a single application. However, government fees must be paid for each class included.

The Lebanese system is a "deposit" system. This means the IPPO's examination is primarily focused on formalities and absolute grounds for refusal (e.g., being against public morals). The Office does not conduct a thorough search for prior conflicting trademarks. The responsibility falls mainly on trademark owners to monitor for and challenge conflicting marks.

If the IPPO finds a very similar registered mark during its examination, it will issue a "Notice of Similarity." The applicant can then either withdraw the application or proceed by signing an undertaking of responsibility, which is a formal declaration that they acknowledge the prior mark and accept any legal risks of moving forward.

No. Lebanon does not have a formal pre-registration opposition system where third parties can officially object to an application before it is registered. A trademark application is published after registration for informational purposes.

You must file a cancellation action with the competent court. This action can be based on your prior rights, the descriptive nature of the registered mark, or other legal grounds.

• Exclusive Right to Use: The legal right to be the only one to use the mark in Lebanon for the registered goods/services.
• Power to Stop Infringement: The legal standing to sue others who use your mark without permission.
• Commercial Assets: The ability to sell (assign) or license your trademark to others.
• Criminal Proceedings: The right to initiate criminal action against counterfeiters, an option not available for unregistered marks.

Trademark infringement occurs when an unauthorized party uses a mark that is identical or confusingly similar to your registered trademark on similar goods or services, creating a likelihood of confusion for the average consumer.  

Penalties can be both civil and criminal:

• Civil Remedies:
• • Financial compensation (damages) for losses.
  • Court orders (injunctions) to stop the infringing activity.
  • Destruction of infringing goods.
• Criminal Penalties: Fines and imprisonment, especially in cases of deliberate counterfeiting.
• Customs Action: Seizure and destruction of counterfeit goods at the border.

This can vary greatly depending on the case's complexity, but a final judgment can take anywhere from several months to a few years.

While there are no courts exclusively for trademarks, Commercial Courts handle these cases, and judges with expertise in intellectual property are often assigned to them.