Practice Areas

Law and Conventions: Israel adheres to the laws and conventions of the Israel Patents Law 1967; the Paris Convention, the Stockholm text and the Strasbourg Agreement. Israel is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Patentability: A product or process which is new, useful and susceptible of industrial or agricultural application and which involves an inventive step. Methods of therapeutic treatment of the human body as well as new varieties of plants or animals are not patentable, with the exception, however, of microbiological organisms not derived from nature.

Novelty: Universal novelty requirements apply.

Requirements for Filing: Requirements for filing include: a specification in the English language, a Power of Attorney, and Priority Documents and Drawings. The Priority Documents and Power of Attorney, as well as Formal Drawings may be filed after the initial filing.

Examination and Prosecution: Examination normally occurs approximately three to five years following filing. Expedited examination is readily available. Publication takes place only following examination and allowance of the claims.

Oppositions: Oppositions may be filed within three months of the date of publication following examination and allowance.

Renewals: A first renewal fee is due three months from the date of grant for years 1-6. Additional renewal fees are paid before the expiration of the sixth, tenth, fourteenth and eighteenth years, counting from the date of the application. Where the prosecution of the application continues for more than six years, e.g. as a result of an opposition, or for any other reason, the renewal fees become payable only upon grant of the patent. There is a six-month grace period for the payment of renewal fees, upon payment of a fine.

Duration: The duration of a patent is twenty years, provided that renewal fees are timely paid.

Patent Term Extensions are available under certain circumstances.