Qatar currently accepts GCC trademark registration applications

Qatar currently accepts GCC trademark registration applications

Qatar has officially adopted the "Gulf Cooperation Council Trademark Law" and its implementation rules. The law was published in the Qatar Government Gazette No. 09 on July 9, 2023, and came into effect immediately. The GCC Trademark Law applies to all GCC countries and involves the prosecution and enforcement of trademark rights, but does not provide a unified trademark registration system. Each GCC national trademark office can still serve as the receiving office for trademark registrations and conduct trademark registrations on a national basis, and trademark applications need to be filed separately with these countries.

There are 50 articles in the Trademark Law and its implementing regulations, which outline general provisions for trademark registration, renewal, transfer and cancellation procedures, official fees, supporting documents, review deadlines and opposition deadlines.

The following are issues you need to pay attention to when registering a trademark in Qatar:

• The official fees for trademark registration in Qatar have increased significantly, and the new official fees will also apply to pending trademark cases that have reached the registration stage.
• Official fees for some other services have been reduced.
• The period for filing an objection request is shortened from 4 months to 2 months.
• Sound trademarks and smell trademarks are allowed to be registered.
• The deadline for responding to review comments was shortened from two months to one month.
• The trademark announcement period is shortened from 4 months to 60 days.
• The announcement and registration fees must be paid within 30 days after receiving the notice from the Trademark Office.
• The registration of trademarks with one mark and multiple categories is based on the respective standards of the six Gulf countries.

The unified GCC Trademark Law replaces the local trademark laws of GCC member states and establishes unified implementing regulations for trademark prosecution and enforcement in each GCC member state. Having uniform laws across the GCC would help brand owners manage their portfolios across the GCC and obtain the same level of protection in all member states.