PATENTS
Qatar Patent Overview
Patents are ruled according to the Patent Law No. 30 of 2006. In Qatar, patents can be claimed using the Paris Convention priority within 12 months from the date of first filling of the priority application. Qatar has become a member of PCT on August 11, 2011Registration process. Qatar is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) patent office. The patent certificates issued by the Office guarantee the legal protection of the inventors' rights in all member states
Registration Process
Patents fillings are required to be in English and Arabic. A power of attorney must be provided.
All patent applications filed with the Qatar Patent Office are subject to substantive examination and are required to meet the above-mentioned patentability criteria in order to receive acceptance from the Patent Office.
The administration will notify the applicant if the application is rejected and the applicant can submit a petition to the competent committee within a period of 90 days from the date of notification.
Any interested party may file an objection to the relevant committee within 60 days from the date of publication. Patent letters or utility certificate will be issued to the applicant if no objection has been filed during the specified period.
Timeframe
The patent registration process takes 4-5 years.
Duration
Patent registration in Qatar are valid for 20 years starting from the filling date. Patents cannot be extended after 20 years. Annuities fees are required every year.
TRADEMARKS
Qatar Trademark Overview
Qatar follows the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Registration of Marks under the Nice Agreement, however Classes 1, 4 to 7, 10 to 14, 16 to 22, 29 and 31 are not fully granted under the law of brands. Products covered by class 33 and alcoholic beverages and beverages in class 32 are not registrable. The law has been amended so that a separate application is filed for each class of goods or services.
Registration process
Once a trademark application is filed, the trademark is examined for form and substance, as Qatar follows the pre-examination system. Accepted trademark applications are published in the Official Trademark Gazette. Any interested party may, within 4 months from the date of publication, object to the registration of a registered trademark.
Duration
The registration of a registered trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date of the application, renewable for additional consecutive periods of 10 years each. Trademark registration renewal fees may be paid during the last 12 months of the current protection period. There is a 6-month grace period within which a late renewal request can be submitted, but such a late renewal request is subject to additional fees. A separate application is required for renewal of a trademark registration or any registration with respect to each class of products or services, provided that the trademarks are originally registered in more than one class.