Jordan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Jordan has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Jordan has established a legal framework that effectively safeguards trade secrets through Law No. 15/2000 on Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition. Arts. 5 to 7 of this Law delineate fundamental principles concerning the protection of trade secrets. Art. 5 affirms the rights of individuals who lawfully control trade secrets, enabling them to disclose, utilise, and protect these secrets from any form of misuse. Art. 6 characterises the misappropriation of trade secrets as the unauthorised acquisition, use, or disclosure of such secrets in contravention of fair commercial practices. This provision specifies particular violations, including breaches of contract and inducements to violate trust, while clarifying that individual access or reverse engineering does not amount to misuse. Finally, Art. 7 empowers the lawful controller of trade secrets to seek compensation for damages resulting from misuse and to initiate legal actions aimed at halting misuse, seizing misappropriated items, and preserving relevant evidence.

It is reported that there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Jordan to deliver telecommunications services to end-users, and this practice is observed in both the mobile and fixed-line sectors.

The government of Jordan holds an equity stake in the Jordan Telecommunications Company (Orange Jordan) through the Social Security Corporation, which possesses 29% of the company’s issued shares.

It is reported that Jordan mandates functional and accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.

Art. 15.b of the Government Procurement Regulation No. 8 of 2022 establishes a preference for domestic bidders or price preferences. Moreover, Art. 8.7 grants priority to domestic products over a foreign product if the bids are equivalent. The article stipulates that preference is given to local products determined by the Council of Ministers, provided that they fulfil the requirements stipulated in the purchase documents, and grants priority in terms of price only.

Jordan is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2000.

In accordance with Art. 11 of Regulation No. 7, foreign ownership for import and export services is limited to less than 50%, except in instances where foreign equity is necessary for the purposes of performing the economic activity. It has been reported that the foreign equity limit is subject to approval by the Cabinet based on a recommendation by the Minister of Investment. Similar restrictions were stipulated in Art. 4 of Regulation No. 77 and, before, in Art. 3 of Regulation No. 54.

It is reported that, in the interest of national security, foreign investors are required to undergo security screening administered by the Ministry of the Interior, which constitutes an integral part of the registration process.

It is reported that, where the applicant does not reside in Jordan, a patent attorney or patent agent registered to practise before the Office must be appointed. In addition, if the applicant is represented by an agent, the provision of a power of attorney is required.

Jordan is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Jordan has a copyright regime under Law No. 22 of 1992. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Art. 17 lists the exceptions, which include presenting for educational purposes; employing the work for private personal use; relying on the work for illustration in education; among others