Strategic Hub:
Qatar is one of the world’s wealthiest economies per capita. Its "National Vision 2030" focuses on transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, making IP protection a top priority for the government.
Regulatory Body:
IP rights are governed by the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI).
International Standing:
Qatar is a member of WIPO, the Paris Convention, and the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty).
Member of PCT ?
YES
Can Convention priority be claimed ?
Yes, within12 months from the date of the first filing of the priority application.
Patent Search
Novelty requirement
Yes, worldwide
Deadline for filing supporting documents
Yes- 90 days
Does the invention specification have to be translated for filing
Yes, In Arabic & English.
Required Documents
Power of Attorney duly legalized up to Consulate General of Qatar.
Deed of assignment signed by both parties duly legalized as above, if the applicant is not the inventor. (Not Required for PCT)
Certified copy of the priority document, if claiming priority.
Examination
Formality, novelty, inventiveness, industrial applicability, unity, and compliance.
Publication
Applications will be published upon grant in the official gazette
Opposition
60 days from announcement
Duration
A patent is valid for 20 years starting from the Qatar filing date, (in case of PCT, starting from the PCT filing date). The term of protection is non-extendable.
Compulsory Licensing
License recordal is compulsory to be effective against third parties
Annuities
Due annually on the anniversary of the international filing date and payable prior to grant. Grace period of 12 months for late payment with a surcharge
Assignment
Trademark Search
Not Mandatory- Possible for word mark & device marks
Trademark Filing
Single/Multi-Class Jurisdiction
Single class - a separate application for each class
Can services be registered
YES
Can convention priority be claimed
YES
Is the international classification
Yes - 11TH addition (Class 33, alcoholic goods in class 32, and pork meat in class 29 cannot be registered)
Documentation and information required to file
A Power of Attorney legalized up to the Qatari Consulate and requires local attestation by the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
Power of attorney exceeding 3 years from the issuance date will require a validation stamp by Qatar Ministry of Justice.
Simple copy of the certificate of incorporation or Extract from the Commercial Register.
Certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.
(All the above may be submitted within 90 days from the filing date)
Full name and address of the applicant.
Meaning/translation of the mark, if it is a wordmark.
Description of goods or services.
Specimen prints of the mark. (in JPEG format)
Opposition period after publication
60 days from publication date
Validity
Renewal
Renewal due
Grace Period
Documents required to renew
Proof of use due
Documents required to file proof of use
License
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of License
Change of name or address
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of change of name or address
A Power of Attorney legalized up to the Qatari Consulate and requires local attestation by the Qatar Ministry of foreign affairs of Qatar in the new name and/or address.
ücertificate proving the change of name or address.
Treaties and conventions
WIPO Convention, Brussels Convention, Trademark Law Treaty, Berne Convention, Paris Convention, Rome Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Protocol, Nice Agreement, Patent Law Treaty, Budapest Treaty, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), GCC Patent Law.