On May 3, 2024, Qatar became the 115th member of the Madrid Protocol, enhancing global trademark protection. This benefits brand owners in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE, enabling them to secure cross-border brand protection. Starting August 3, 2024: Qatari brand owners can safeguard their brands in 130 countries with one application, using English, French, or Spanish, and...

The Intellectual Property Department at the ministry of commerce and industry has issued a new directive concerning the payment of annuity fees. According to the new policy, applicants have the option to abstain from paying annual fees if three years pass without a decision being made by the office on their application.This exemption lasts until the office renders a decision to...

In line with the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance the government services it provides and in accordance with Ministerial Decision No. (154) of the year 2018 dated 1/5/2018,Patent Appeals Committee has been established to handle appeals related to patent registration and compulsory licensing decisions. This proactive measure aims to ensure...

In a notable stride towards fortifying its intellectual property framework, Qatar has recently introduced the Grievance Committee for Patent Appeals through the implementation of Ministerial Decision 97 of 2023. This forward-looking initiative signifies a transformative approach to resolving patent disputes, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to cultivating a robust and...