The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international patent law treaty concluded in 2003 that enables applicants to seek international patent protection for their inventions in each of the contracting states. The main advantage of the PCT is that it allows the filing of a single patent application, thereby replacing the requirement to file separate applications in each country in which the applicant is seeking patent protection.
The Republic of Mauritius has enacted the Industrial Property Act 2019 (Act), which came into force on 31 January 2022, with the aims of:
- modernising and consolidating the industrial property framework;
- facilitating the registration of industrial property rights; and
- promoting research, innovation, investment and economic growth in the country.
The Act extends coverage to additional industrial property rights such as utility models, layout designs, breeder’s rights and geographical indications.
When the Act came into force, provisions were made to recognise international applications through the PCT system, but the PCT was not yet in force in the Republic of Mauritius. Until now, Mauritius was one of the few African countries that had not joined the PCT. However, the Government of Mauritius deposited its instrument to the accession to the PCT on 15 December 2022, and Mauritius has now become the 157th Contracting State of the PCT. The PCT entered into force in Mauritius on 15 March 2023.
As of 15 March 2023, applicants and inventors in Mauritius can file patent applications under the PCT to obtain patent protection in the PCT Contracting States. In the same vein, foreign innovators and companies can now use the PCT System to seek patent protection for their inventions in Mauritius.
To facilitate the process, the PCT Applicant’s Guide Mauritius was made available on the World Intellectual Property Organization from 22 June 2023 to assist applicants in filing patent applications under the PCT from Mauritius.
Undoubtedly, the accession of the Republic of Mauritius to the PCT will catalyse the structuring of IP holding companies in Mauritius and will attract investment by bringing a new dimension to the Mauritian intellectual property industry, and a positive impact on the Mauritian business ecosystem.
