PATENT APPLICATIONS IN ISRAEL

1. Filing requirements:
A copy of the specification, claims and drawings (no Abstract required), the name and address of the applicant, and a Power of Attorney form duly signed by the applicant (no legalization is required), which could be filed after filing the application.

If the application is based on a prior corresponding foreign application, a priority document must be submitted within 3 months of filing the application. If the priority document is not in the English language, a certified translation into English must also be submitted.

If the application is a national phase application of a PCT application, a copy of the Search Report, Written Opinion, any amendments in the International Phase, and the International Preliminary Examination Report must be submitted. These also may be filed after filing the application. It is permissible to amend the PCT application before filing in Israel. New matter will be postdated to the date of actual filing in Israel.

Extensions of time are available for filing the Formal Drawings, Power of Attorney, Priority Document, English translation, and PCT documents, if necessary.

Patentable subject matter in Israel: Any new and useful method or device showing an inventive step, which is capable of industrial application. Exceptions to protection are: methods of medical treatment of the human body, and novel species of plants and animals, except for micro-biological organisms which are not derived from nature. While computer programs, per se, are not patentable in theory, in practice they can be protected as part of a system, including the use of any hardware.

2. Process: Within 3 years (approx.) following the filing of the application, the Patent Examiner will request a list of publications cited against corresponding applications around the world, and provide an opportunity to amend the application before examination. (New matter will be postdated to the date of actual filing in Israel.)

Shortly thereafter, the Examiner will issue an Office Action citing prior publications (if any) over which he contends the invention is not novel, or which allegedly render the invention obvious, or other legal grounds for rejection; or an Acceptance Notice. In the first case, a reply to the Office Action including distinguishing arguments for accepting the application must be submitted within 4 months; in the second case, a publication fee must be paid within 3 months (the due dates are extendable).

If the Examiner maintains the rejection after several Office Actions and responses, the applicant may apply for a hearing to be held by the Registrar of Patents.

If no objection is filed 3 months following publication, the Registrar will register the patent in the Register of Patents and issue an Official Patent Certificate.

If an objection is filed, the Registrar will conduct a hearing to decide whether to accept or reject the application. The Registrar's decisions can be appealed to the District Court.

3. Term: A patent registration shall remain in force for a period of 20 years from the filing date, on condition that renewal fees are paid before the end of 3 months from grant, and 6 years, 10 years, 14 years and 18 years from filing.

4. Conventions: Israel is a member of the Paris and PCT Conventions and TRIPS.

5. Current Fees: Please ask for our current Tariff for Patents.

TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS IN ISRAEL

1. Requirements: The trademark (if a label – 6 specimens), the name and address of the applicant, a full list of the goods or services and a Power of Attorney form duly signed by the applicant (no legalization is required), which could be filed after filing the application. The application can be based on intended use or on a prior corresponding foreign registration. In that case, a photocopy of the certificate of registration can be submitted at the time of filing the application. Later on, an official copy in the English language must be submitted. Priority can be claimed by an applicant based on the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol.

2. Process: Within 6 months (approx.) following the filing of the application, the Examiner of Trademarks will issue an Office Action citing prior registrations or applications (if any) which are allegedly confusingly similar to the trademark filed for registration, or other legal grounds for rejection; or an Acceptance Notice. In the first case, a reply to the Office Action including legal arguments for accepting the application must be submitted within 3 months; in the second case, a publication fee must be paid within 2 months (the due dates are extendable); If the Examiner maintains the rejection, the applicant may apply for a hearing to be held by the Registrar of Trademarks.

If no objection is filed 3 months following publication, the Registrar will register the trademark in the Trademark Registry and issue an Official Trademark Certificate.
If an objection is filed or the Examiner persists in his allegation of a confusing similarity between the application and a pending application of another applicant, the Registrar will conduct a hearing for deciding whether to accept or reject the application. The Registrar's decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

3. Term: A trademark registration shall remain in force for a period of 10 years from the filing date, at which time it may be renewed for additional periods of 10 years, each.

4. Current Fees: Please ask for our Tariff for Trademarks.

5. Conventions: Israel is a member of the Madrid Protocol and TRIPS.

DESIGN APPLICATIONS IN ISRAEL

1. Requirements: One copy (preferably three copies) of drawings or black and white photos showing the novel design from all angles, the name and address of the applicant, and a Power of Attorney form duly signed by the applicant (no legalization is required), which could be filed after filing the application.

If the application is based on a prior corresponding foreign application, a priority document must be submitted within 3 months of filing the application. If the priority document is not in the English language, a certified translation into English must also be submitted.

Extensions of time are available for filing the Formal Drawings, Power of Attorney, Priority Document, and English translation, if necessary.

2. Process: Within 1.5 years (approx.) following the filing of the application, the Design Examiner will examine the application to determine that formal requirements have been met, and will issue an Office Action requesting amendment of the application; or an Acceptance Notice. In the first case, a reply to the Office Action including amended drawings and/or arguments for accepting the application must be submitted within 3 months; in the second case, a publication fee must be paid within 3 months (the due dates are extendable).

Upon payment of the publication fee, the Registrar will register the design in the Designs Register and issue an Official Design Certificate. The registered design becomes public knowledge only 2 years following registration.

3. Term: A design registration shall remain in force for a period of 5 years from the filing date, and may be renewed for two additional periodsof 5 years each.

4. Current Fees: Please ask for our current Tariff.

5. Conventions: Israel is a member of the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

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