Qatar Trademark Law No. 3 of 1978 has been the subject of a complete review in order to pave the way for the adoption of the draft Trademark Law of 1999.
The draft Trademark law of 1999 is currently in its final preparation stages. The draft law has been reviewed by the Cabinet and should be issued shortly by the Emir of Qatar once it receives full approval. The new law will not be effective except after issuance of its implementing regulations. Issuance of the regulations is not excepted to be simultaneous with the law, but is rather proposed to be published 2 months following issuance of the new law. The existing implementing regulations shall apply up to the date on which the new regulations will come into force.
The new law and the implementing regulations shall contain a provision for ensuring temporary protection for trademarks connected with products and services displayed in exhibitions held in the State of Qatar or abroad.
Other intellectual property laws that are likely to be issued include those for the protection of industrial designs’ trade names, and geographical indications which are currently not in force in this Arabian Gulf country. The new law is in compliance with the TRIPs requirements. Once the said law has been implemented, the Trademark Office will be renamed the "Industrial Property Office" and will comprise different sections for trademark, trade name, industrial designs, etc.